Chelsea have a big summer ahead of them to build on the impressive work done this season during Enzo Maresca’s first year in charge at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian has set the side up for potential success first season, still sitting in an excellent position to claim Champions League football, whilst also in pole position to win the Europa Conference League.
However, the main aim for the 45-year-old and the hierarchy will certainly be to battle for the Premier League title next year, with Estevao Willian already set to move to the club this summer.
He will also be joined by Dario Essugo, who is moving to West London after the hierarchy agreed a deal for his services with Sporting CP earlier this month.
The 20-year-old will need time to settle given his tender age, but the transition could be made easier by 2026, with another one of his current teammates linking up with him 12 months after his move.
Chelsea’s deal to land Geovany Quenda from Sporting CP
It was confirmed this month that Chelsea had agreed a £42m deal with the Liga Portugal outfit for 17-year-old wonderkid Geovany Quenda to move to the club ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
The Portuguese star has been a man in demand after his tremendous breakthrough season, with Ruben Amorim previously interested in taking the teenager with him to Manchester.
However, the Blues jumped ahead of them in the race for his signature, agreeing a seven-year deal for his services with an option for a further year down the line.
Quenda, who can play as a wing-back or winger on either flank, has registered two goals and six assists in all competitions throughout this year – simply incredible figures for such a young talent.
However, he will have a lot of expectations on his shoulders upon his move to the Bridge given the fee, but the club may have been better off keeping hold of one former player who’s outperformed him this campaign.
The former Chelsea star who’s outperformed Quenda in 2024/25
As a result of the heavy spending during the Todd Boehly era, some brutal calls have had to be made to allow players to depart Chelsea to balance the books and avoid any punishments from the Premier League.
The Blues have sold nearly £500m worth of talent over the last three years, many of which have been phenomenal pieces of business – with the players unable to justify their hefty fees elsewhere.
However, one sale they may regret is that of full-back Lewis Hall, who departed his boyhood club for £35m in the summer, joining Newcastle United on a permanent basis after spending the previous year on loan on Tyneside.
1) Mason Mount
£55m
2) Ian Maatsen
£37.5m
3) Lewis Hall
£35m
4) Conor Gallagher
£34m
= Tammy Abraham
£34m
5) Fikayo Tomori
£30m
The 20-year-old only made 12 first-team appearances for the Blues but has taken his career to the next level this season with valuable minutes under Eddie Howe’s guidance.
Hall, who’s been dubbed “superb” by journalist Thomas Hammond, has featured in 27 Premier League outings this season, with an ankle injury prematurely ending his first permanent year in the North East.
When comparing his figures to those of Quenda in 2024/25, the Englishman has outperformed him in numerous areas, showing the mistake the club made in allowing him to depart on a permanent basis.
The Chelsea academy graduate has won more tackles per 90, whilst also making more blocks per game – showcasing the defensive qualities he possesses in the wing-back role.
He’s also managed to complete more crosses and achieve a higher take-on success rate this season, outclassing Quenda in attacking areas despite his defensive position.
There’s no denying that Quenda will develop over time given his tender age, having the potential to transform into a top-level star under the guidance of Maresca.
However, as seen above, it’s evident that Hall is currently a bigger talent, having the skill set to play a key role in the current first-team, but their loss is Newcastle’s gain – making a huge mistake in parting ways with him given his rise in recent months.
Chelsea sold "sensational" ace for £5m, now he's a bigger star than James
Chelsea may regret offloading a player who’s managed to take his career to the next level after leaving.
ByEthan LambMar 25, 2025