Chelsea’s difficulties have continued this season, as they were defeated 1-0 at home by Nottingham Forest on Saturday (September 2). Mauricio Pochettino’s club has one victory and two losses in four league games this season.
Meanwhile, the Blues were unsuccessful in their pursuit of Nottingham Forest attacker Brennan Johnson this summer. In other news, the London giants have been chastised for failing to sign Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, who has joined Manchester United on loan.
To that end, below are the top Chelsea transfer stories as of September 3, 2023:
Losing Brennan Johnson was a big blow for Chelsea
According to Foot Mercato, Chelsea came close to signing Brennan Johnson this summer.
The team was looking to add to their attacking options, and Pochettino had highlighted Johnson as a possible target. The London club even agreed to terms with Nottingham Forest for the 22-year-old.
However, they were unable to complete a deal, and Johnson instead joined Tottenham Hotspur. Cole Palmer was signed by the Blues from Manchester City. The Englishman made his debut for the team in the weekend’s disheartening loss to Nottingham Forest.
Blues have been criticized for not focusing on Sofyan Amrabat
Former Blues defender Frank Leboeuf believes the club should have signed Sofyan Amrabat this summer instead of Moises Caicedo.
The Premier League club paid Brighton & Hove Albion a British transfer record of £115 million to acquire the Ecuadorian. Meanwhile, Amrabat has joined Manchester United on loan.
According to Leboeuf, the Moroccan would have been a perfect companion for Enzo Fernandez.
I often mention that Chelsea is on the lookout for seasoned central midfielders. I don’t know why Sofyan Amrabat wasn’t considered. As Leboeuf put it, “he would have been a great complement to Enzo Fernandez.
He continued:
They did acquire Moises Caicedo, but at a price of almost £100 million. I imagined Amrabat on loan at Manchester United, where he would eventually be purchased for £30 million. For Chelsea, the price was too good to pass up.
When Morocco played at the previous World Cup, he was magnificent. His abilities are established. Chelsea, you should really consider these men. This guy has been around the block a few times. As in, “Why don’t they use these people as players?”
Caicedo’s debut at Stamford Bridge hasn’t been ideal.
William Gallas claims that Axel Disasi is not yet ready for a transfer to Stamford Bridge
Former Chelsea defender William Gallas believes Axel Disasi must improve significantly after joining the club. The French defender arrived in London from Monaco at the beginning of last month.
Disasi, according to Gallas, requires time to settle in at the club, but he has a terrific mentor in Thiago Silva.
I was among the men who had trouble comprehending Disasi’s decision to sign with Chelsea. When it comes to competition level, the Premier League is on a whole other level. It’s important for him to realize that attackers will be quite powerful when they confront him, despite the fact that he is a tough player.
“He has to improve a lot, but he has the chance to play alongside Thiago Silva, and he has to learn from him, speak to him a lot, and Silva can help him move to the next step,” Gallas added.
He continued:
“Just because he’s signed with Chelsea doesn’t mean he’s ready to contribute right away. There are certain negative behaviors he still needs to break. That’s why I first assumed he wasn’t ready to commit to Chelsea when I saw his name on the roster.
However, he needs time to adjust to life in a new nation, with new teammates, and at a new club. You need to give him some space. You have to allow a foreign player at least one year to adjust to life in the Premier League.
Disasi has played every minute of every game for the London giants this season, scoring on his debut in a 1-1 tie against Liverpool at home.