Chelsea have wasted £81m jackpot who was earning more than Palmer & Jackson
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Chelsea’s inaugural transfer window under their new ownership faced a wave of criticism, with the club spending an impressive £250 million on eight permanent players and one loan acquisition.
High-Profile Signings and Mixed Results
Among the standout signings of that 2022/23 window was Wesley Fofana, who joined from Leicester City for a significant £75 million fee. However, Fofana has struggled to make his mark, primarily due to ongoing injuries. Since his arrival, he’s managed just 28 appearances for Chelsea, scoring twice over 2,444 minutes of play. Meanwhile, Marc Cucurella, another key signing from that period, has found his footing after a challenging start. The Spanish left-back, now 26, has accumulated 69 appearances, contributed one goal, four assists, and logged over 5,000 minutes on the field, showing improvement after a rocky beginning.
Sterling’s Pricey Move and Chelsea’s Investment
One of the more controversial transfers was Raheem Sterling, brought in from Manchester City for £47.5 million. Sterling arrived with high expectations, given his success at City, where he scored 131 goals in 339 matches. However, his Chelsea tenure has been underwhelming; in 81 appearances, he has netted just 19 times, assisted 12 goals, and spent 5,326 minutes on the pitch. Fans and critics alike have highlighted his underperformance, especially given his £325,000-per-week wage, which places him at the top of Chelsea’s payroll, costing around £16.9 million annually.
Sterling’s salary came under further scrutiny when compared to other forwards like Cole Palmer, who was earning £80,000 per week last season and recorded 25 goals with 15 assists, and Nicolas Jackson, who was on £65,000 per week and managed 17 goals and six assists in his 44 appearances.
Jackson and Palmer’s Strong Form
Following their outstanding form, Jackson and Palmer received salary increases for the current season, with Jackson now at £100,000 per week and Palmer at £130,000 per week. Despite these raises, the combined cost of their wages is still nearly £100,000 less than what Chelsea paid Sterling, emphasizing the value Chelsea has found in the young talents.
This season, both Jackson and Palmer have made strong starts. Jackson, 23, has already scored six goals and registered three assists in ten appearances. Palmer, meanwhile, has scored seven goals and assisted five times in eleven games. The duo has developed a productive partnership, with Enzo Maresca moving Palmer centrally into a no.10 role, creating a close link with Jackson that allows the pair to thrive.
Sterling vs. Jackson and Palmer: A Costly Comparison
Over his two seasons at Chelsea, Sterling has cost the club approximately £81 million, including his transfer fee and wages. By contrast, the combined outlay for Palmer and Jackson is notably lower, with Palmer costing £40 million plus a £4.1 million annual wage, and Jackson at £32 million with a £3.3 million salary. Sterling only outperforms the younger players in progressive carries per 90 minutes, largely due to his left-winger role, while Palmer has adapted to more central and right-sided positions, and Jackson operates as a striker. In terms of output, Jackson and Palmer provide more shots per 90 and more shots on target per 90, with Jackson coming close to Sterling in key passes and shot-creating actions—metrics where wingers traditionally excel.
Sterling’s Loan Move and Future with Chelsea
Chelsea has loaned Sterling to Arsenal, prioritizing development opportunities for new wingers like Jadon Sancho and Pedro Neto, as well as Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk. At Arsenal, Sterling has scored once and assisted once in 333 minutes across eight appearances, competing for playing time against Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Leandro Trossard under Mikel Arteta.
Chelsea will need to address Sterling’s future upon his return in 2025, as his high wages could complicate any potential transfer to another club.
