Chelsea’s 5 Most Expensive Transfers: Are They Worth the Price Tag?

Chelsea have not held back when it comes to spending big. Over the past few years, the club has broken transfer records in pursuit of top-tier talent. While some signings show promise, others have struggled to meet expectations.

Big spending in football goes beyond building a winning team — it also drives fan engagement, both on and off the pitch. Fans follow transfers and match drama alongside their favorite online entertainment, where high-stakes moments are always just around the corner.

One such form of entertainment, the aviator game, offers a similar rush and attracts fans who enjoy fast-paced, adrenaline-filled experiences that mirror the highs and lows of the football world.

1. Moisés Caicedo – £115m

Chelsea secured Moisés Caicedo in the summer of 2023 after outbidding Liverpool. The club paid £100m plus £15m in add-ons. The hefty price tag put pressure on the 21-year-old, and he struggled early in the Premier League.

By the end of the 2023/24 season, Caicedo improved his performances and became a key figure in midfield. He won Chelsea’s Goal of the Season award. His strong finish suggests he could justify the club’s significant investment. Currently, Caicedo is seen as a central part of Chelsea’s long-term midfield plans and is expected to be a regular starter moving forward.

2. Enzo Fernandez – £106.8m

Chelsea paid Enzo Fernandez’s £106.8m release clause from Benfica in January 2023. Just six months after joining Benfica, his rise was rapid, with his key performances in midfield helping Argentina win their first World Cup in 36 years.

His success at the World Cup, where he won the Young Player of the Tournament award, convinced Chelsea to break their club record to sign him, as they sought to recover from a poor start to the 2022/23 season. Despite his clear talent, Fernandez struggled with consistency in the Premier League. He did not replicate the form he showed at the World Cup.

However, this season he has improved enormously. Fernandez is already close to matching his goal tally from the whole of last term and continues to grow in influence in Chelsea’s midfield.

3. Romelu Lukaku – £97.5m

Romelu Lukaku’s £97.5m return to Chelsea in 2021 was a bold move but ultimately disappointing. After impressing at Inter Milan with 64 goals and a Serie A title, expectations were high. However, a controversial Sky Italy interview, where he expressed dissatisfaction with his role at Chelsea, angered fans and led to him being dropped from the starting lineup.

Lukaku struggled to regain form, scoring just eight goals in 26 Premier League appearances during the 2021/22 season. His time at Chelsea ended with loans to Inter Milan in 2022 and Roma in 2023/24, before a permanent move to SSC Napoli in 2024.

4. Mykhailo Mudryk – £89m

Mykhailo Mudryk was expected to join Arsenal in January 2023, but Chelsea secured the Ukrainian winger for £89m. His start at Stamford Bridge was tough, as he didn’t score in his first six months. His first goal came in October 2023 against Fulham, but his performances were criticized, with Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca also commenting on his struggles.

Before joining Chelsea, Mudryk had impressed at Shakhtar Donetsk, where he showed his potential as a talented winger. However, since his arrival, he has registered only seven goals and four assists across all competitions.

As of now, his future at Chelsea remains uncertain. According to Fabrizio Romano, the club is awaiting an official verdict after Mudryk reportedly tested positive for a banned substance. If proven, he could face a suspension of up to four years, which would significantly impact his standing at the club.

5. Kepa Arrizabalaga – £71.6m

Chelsea signed Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 for a record £71.6m. The high fee was due to Athletic Bilbao’s policy of only using players from the Basque region.

The investment didn’t bring the results Chelsea had hoped for. Under Maurizio Sarri, Kepa’s form was disappointing. His 2019/20 season was especially poor, as he had the lowest save percentage in the Premier League. He was replaced by Édouard Mendy before the next season.

In 2023, Kepa went on loan to Real Madrid after Thibaut Courtois suffered a serious injury. He later returned to Chelsea in the summer but was sent out on loan again, this time to Bournemouth.