Chelsea SLAMMED: €80m Spent on Players No One Wanted

Franck Leboeuf has strongly criticized his former club, Chelsea, for their summer transfer decisions, particularly for signing two players he believes no one else wanted.

The former Chelsea defender expressed his disappointment over the club’s acquisitions of Jadon Sancho and Joao Felix during the recent transfer window. Sancho, eager to leave Manchester United after falling out of favor, joined Chelsea on an initial loan deal. This move is set to become permanent for a fee of €25 to €30 million next summer, provided the Blues finish above 15th in the Premier League standings.

Leboeuf’s criticism highlights the growing frustration among fans and former players regarding Chelsea’s transfer strategy as they continue to rebuild under new management.

Joao Felix, meanwhile, rejoined Chelsea from Atletico Madrid despite an underwhelming six-month stint at the club during the 2022/23 season.

Chelsea invested heavily in the 24-year-old, paying €50 million for his transfer and signing him to a six-year contract with an option for an additional season. This decision has faced significant criticism, as Felix has struggled to deliver consistent top-level performances in recent years.

The deal has sparked debate among fans and pundits alike, raising questions about Chelsea’s strategy in the transfer market.

Franck Lebouef has criticized Chelsea for their summer acquisitions of Jadon Sancho and Joao Felix, expressing doubts about their desirability.

Speaking on ESPN, Lebouef remarked, “Sancho and Felix, I’m not sure many clubs wanted them. And surprisingly, it’s only Chelsea who signed them. That’s insane.”

Lebouef was particularly critical of Chelsea’s commitment to Felix, who signed a contract extending to 2031. “Joao Felix until 2031. How come? We’ve seen him play. I don’t need data for that,” he said. He added, “I don’t understand half of the signings that we see. Those people are just ruining Chelsea Football Club.”

Indeed, Joao Felix had limited interest from other clubs before Chelsea secured his transfer for a hefty sum. While there was some interest in Sancho from teams like Juventus, no concrete offers materialized until Chelsea acted late in the transfer window.

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has faced significant criticism over the past two years for a series of unconventional transfers, with the club spending nearly €1.5 billion in the market. Despite this heavy investment, Chelsea’s performances have been underwhelming, with the team finishing 12th and sixth in the league and failing to secure any trophies.

Source: https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2024/09/chelsea-transfer-news-jadon-sancho-joao-felix-todd-boehly