Evening Standard: Chelsea have essentially achieved their three major summer transfer targets.

The Evening Standard published an article discussing Chelsea's summer transfer window, stating that they believe Chelsea have essentially achieved their three main objectives.

From the appointment of Xabi Alonso in June until the last second of the transfer window.

Chelsea's transfer goals this summer are simple: to be stronger on the pitch, in the dressing room, and financially than they were at the end of last season. They believe they have achieved all three.

Club sources say the best part of building the team is yet to come. But before that, they'll celebrate what's considered an extremely successful summer, even if the Ramin Kamara deal ultimately falls through.

Last season's meetings among the club's management played a crucial role. In recent years, the club's transfer policy had almost exclusively focused on signing young players, but now the need for experience and leadership was very clear. Thus, while key players Palmer and João Pedro enjoyed a much-needed summer break, Chelsea's management began pushing forward with this summer of change.

After some reflection and acknowledging past mistakes, the club appointed Xabi Alonso and began building a squad for the new manager. Many believe this new squad helped Chelsea win this transfer window.

Alonso officially took over on July 9, but Standard Sport learned as early as mid-May, after receiving the keys to Stamford Bridge, that he was in contact with the club's board of directors almost every day to discuss what the new squad should look like.

The team made headline-grabbing signings, including Morgan Rodgers, for a hefty £117 million. Chelsea also signed 36-year-old Henderson and 35-year-old Welbeck, hoping the two would set an example in the dressing room. Alonso initially hoped to reunite with Xhaka, but Chelsea's low offer for Sunderland backfired, and the 33-year-old Xhaka ultimately stayed. In the final weeks of the transfer window, Chelsea primarily focused on clearing out their squad and balancing their books.

Enzo Fernandes' future was the biggest transfer saga of the summer. The deal dragged on until the last minute, finally ending with Manchester City meeting Chelsea's demands, allowing the latter to sign the player. The Blues received £125 million in the sale, equaling a record transfer fee in British football. Chelsea are very proud of this revenue.

Fernandez initially wanted to join Real Madrid, but an embarrassing moment came just hours before Argentina's dramatic World Cup victory over Cape Verde when the Spanish giants issued a statement distancing themselves from him.

Cucurella was the first domino to fall; Chelsea's summer was thus launched.

However, Manchester City's interest never waned, spearheaded by former Chelsea manager Maresca, who was eager to work with his namesake player again. Chelsea set a deadline of 5 pm on August 14th for bids, giving them either a clear answer before the season started or raising their price above their original £120 million asking price. It worked.

While Real Madrid had to distance themselves from one Chelsea player, they were more interested in another. Chelsea's first big move this summer was selling Marc Cucurella for £51 million. Chelsea had hoped to keep him, but knew he preferred to leave.

After the first domino fell, Chelsea's summer campaign officially began. Following Cucurella's departure, Chelsea were looking to strengthen their flanks, and on a Tuesday evening in mid-June, they made a breakthrough in negotiations with Atalanta for the versatile wing-back Palestra. The documents were subsequently exchanged, and Palestra became the first new signing under Xabi Alonso. The next one will be even more surprising and exciting.

Many initially believed Rodgers would join Arsenal this summer. Arteta listed the England star as his top striker target, and negotiations did take place. However, Chelsea maintained a low profile throughout the transfer talks, but proved decisive and confident at crucial moments.

After England's elimination by Argentina in the World Cup, and before Rodgers even played in the third-place match against France, Chelsea immediately made a move. The two sides quickly finalized a club-record £117 million deal, with no issues regarding personal terms. Rodgers reunited with his childhood friend Palmer; both came through Manchester City's youth academy, much to Arsenal's surprise. Now, after the first two league rounds, their on-field understanding is beginning to catch up with their off-field relationship.

Next came the blockbuster signing of Dejan Lacroix in defense. Crystal Palace were initially reluctant to sell until Chelsea offered £52 million, and the player himself made it clear he wanted to join. Like Rodgers, Chelsea's long-standing interest and persuasiveness in acquiring the player ultimately prevailed over other competitors. Internally, the club viewed them as "plug-and-play" starters.

Lacroix, 26, is Chelsea's first signing of a player aged 26 or older for a transfer fee since Sterling's arrival in 2022. This was followed by Welbeck from Brighton, and then Henderson's free transfer from Brentford. Chavarria, 28, is a younger signing, but Chelsea see him as a role model for Cucurella and consider the £16.3 million price tag relatively low-risk.

Despite most of their moves appearing methodical and calculated, Chelsea embraced the unpredictability of the transfer market, which often evolves on its own. In their final pre-season friendlies, Chelsea were initially satisfied with goalkeepers Robert Sanchez and Chris Penders, until the opening round's 3-2 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage, where Sanchez was responsible for both goals conceded. The club's mind immediately shifted. Emiliano Martinez, wanting to leave Aston Villa, was also recommended to Chelsea through intermediaries. The Blues swiftly and decisively signed him for £7.5 million, giving him his debut in the second game of the season. On transfer deadline day, Sanchez was loaned to Como.

Chelsea violated UEFA's financial regulations in their 2024 accounts and entered into a settlement agreement. Even without participating in European competitions this season, the club will still be required to adhere to strict financial targets throughout the season. This means Chelsea must demonstrate their ability as a successful seller; they may be the Premier League club most adept at extracting value from player sales.

Mudelik, Adarabioyu, Delap, Nicola Jacson, and Mamadou Sarr were all left out of the squad for the final pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad, signaling to the market that they are available for sale, and they have been training separately from Alonso's first team. Loans have also played a key role in reducing the squad size, helping the team offload Disasi and Ganacho.

The club's financial team believes that Chelsea could recoup more than £500 million this summer through player sales and loan fees, which would be a global football record.

Chelsea also broke their own record for British player sales. The club deemed Delap's £300,000 transfer a failure and ultimately sold him to Nottingham Forest for £50 million plus add-ons; Trevor Chalobah was sold to Como for £31 million, all of which was considered "net profit" because he was a product of Chelsea's youth academy. The sales of Jacson, Andre Santos, and Terrence George brought in a total of £139 million.

When Tottenham Hotspur lost the race for Ndiaye to Manchester City and agreed to sell Danso, Chelsea offered Mudrick and Adarabioyu. BlueCo has had many unsuccessful moves in the past, but they clearly understand the logic of bartering.

BlueCo has had many unsuccessful operations in the past, but it clearly understands the logic of barter.

For players they don't want to sell, Chelsea deliberately inflate their public valuations to scare away interested buyers. Gusto is priced at £75 million, and Pedro Neto is close to £100 million. Barcelona made exploratory contact with João Pedro, but the striker is considered "not for sale"—a term used internally by Cobham to describe players who are absolutely not going to be sold.

Some player interests never went any further. Bosnian talent Kerem Arajbegovic eventually joined Juventus. Arsenal's Skelley was offered to Chelsea by intermediaries, but Chelsea rejected the offer. The club also inquired about Lucas Berivar, James Garner, and Zubimendi. However, Ramin Kamara was undoubtedly the closest to a last-minute signing.

Throughout the summer, Chelsea maintained their stance: they would not let Fernandes go until a replacement was found. After learning multiple times that Bournemouth would not sell Alex Scott, the club turned its attention to Quadio Kone, but Roma adopted a similar position. Subsequently, Chelsea's two deadline-end bids for Kamara were rejected by Monaco, and the club allowed Fernandes to undergo a medical at Manchester City while simultaneously beginning preparations for midfield reinforcements that might not arrive until January.

As the final day of hustle and bustle unfolded, complications arose during Balogun's medical with Everton, jeopardizing the deal and putting pressure on Monaco to cash in on other signings. Berhard Egbaly decisively finalized a £47 million deal for Kamara. However, the Balogun deal was subsequently renegotiated, with Monaco withdrawing their offer for Kamara just minutes before the transfer window closed, despite a prior agreement reached via email. Standard Sport understands that Chelsea's board was furious, deeming Monaco's actions unprofessional. Kamara was reportedly very frustrated. Balogun's subsequent withdrawal from the Everton deal further exacerbated the situation.

For Chelsea, what should have been a positive and transformative transfer window ended bitterly. The team's summer turnover was record-breaking, and the failure to sign that extra midfielder was a major disappointment. Adding another center-back would have been even better, but their final conclusion remains: the deal was shrewd and overall a great success.

In terms of signings, bold investments and adjustments to the transfer strategy have made the squad Alonso takes over look stronger than when he initially agreed to coach 15 weeks ago. Now, it's time to put it to the test.