Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku looked as though he could’ve departed during the January transfer window after being touted with a move to various sides.
The French forward, who cost £52m in the summer of 2023, has mainly been an impact player under Enzo Maresca this campaign, starting just six matches in the Premier League.
However, the injury to Nicolas Jackson has allowed for increased minutes in the side, starting each of the past four outings, but only managing to find the back of the net on one occasion.
During his time at Stamford Bridge, Nkunku has registered 17 goals in 48 matches but ultimately has been unable to nail down a regular starting role when the squad is fully fit – with the club needing to cash in on him this summer.
That said, considering his relatively impressive record in front of goal, there have been two poorer signings, and they both need to be given the boot…
Mykhailo Mudryk’s stats for Chelsea
In January 2023, Chelsea secured an £88.5m deal for winger Mykhailo Mudryk from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk – with real hope and expectation of transforming the club’s attack.
The Blues won the bidding war with fellow English side Arsenal for the 24-year-old, and he looked to be a phenomenal addition after his cameo off the bench against Liverpool for his debut.
He was unable to find the back of the net in any of his first 17 appearances, but registered seven strikes last year in his first full campaign at the Bridge.
This campaign has seen the Ukrainian score three times, but he has been provisionally suspended since December after testing positive for a banned substance – putting his Blues career on hold for now, at least.
After such an expensive fee was shelled out for his signature, it’s safe to say Mudryk hasn’t lived up to expectations, scoring just 10 goals in his 73 appearances for the club.
However, despite his lack of impact in the capital over recent years, one other first-team member has undoubtedly been a worse addition, with Maresca desperately needing to cash in on him this summer.
The Chelsea player who’s been a worse signing than Mudryk
Over the years, Chelsea have made countless additions to try and catapult themselves back to the top of the Premier League, but have so far been unable to achieve such a feat.
All areas of the pitch have been strengthened as a result of Todd Boehly’s investment, but one department evidently needs more signings – especially after the lack of form of one player.
Maresca has continuously shown faith in goalkeeper Robert Sanchez between the sticks, as seen by his tally of 22 appearances for the Blues throughout the 2024/25 campaign.
The Spaniard joined the club in the summer of 2023 for a reported £25m but has since failed to live up to his huge price tag, often prone to a mistake in recent months.
Whilst he’s been benched for each of the last three games, it’s been something that is deserved when delving into his stats from 2024/25, struggling to offer that presence needed to bolster their defensive record.
Games played
21
Goals conceded
27
Goals conceded per 90
1.3
Clean sheets
4
Pass accuracy
69%
Errors leading to goals
5
Yellow cards
5
The 27-year-old has conceded 27 times in his 21 Premier League outings, an average of 1.3 goals conceded per 90, whilst also only completing 69% of passes, unable to effectively play out from the back – something which Maresca demands from his keepers.
Sanchez has also made five errors leading to goals, the joint-highest of any shot-stopper in the division, undoubtedly costing the Blues in key moments which could affect their chances of securing Champions League football.
Whilst he cost nowhere near as much as Mudryk, the fee paid still looks way too expensive for the lack of impact he’s made on the side, often hindering the squad as a result of his selection.
Maresca has finally made the right decision in opting for Filip Jorgensen ahead of Sanchez in recent games, with the Italian needing to offload him this summer and try to recoup as much of the £25m fee as possible.
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