Chelsea must regret selling £35m Star who’s dominated Saka like Cucurella %1000

Chelsea’s High-Spending Era Under Todd Boehly

Since Todd Boehly’s 2022 takeover, Chelsea has ramped up its transfer activity, reshaping the squad at a fast pace to give managers a chance to end the club’s long wait for a league title. The Blues have not won the Premier League since Antonio Conte led them to victory in the 2016/17 season, and Boehly, eager to restore Chelsea’s success, has invested heavily to make it happen.

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

While this aggressive approach to squad-building has sparked mixed opinions, current manager Enzo Maresca seems to be reaping the benefits, guiding the team to third place—only nine points from the top—heading into the season’s third international break.

Chelsea’s Recent Draw Against Arsenal

In their last game, Chelsea secured a hard-fought point against London rivals Arsenal, putting a dent in Arsenal’s bid to dethrone Manchester City from their league dominance. Pedro Neto shone as he netted a crucial equalizer following Gabriel Martinelli’s opening goal. Positioned on the right wing after Noni Madueke’s substitution, Neto appeared far more effective, making a significant impact in the match.

Marc Cucurella’s Standout Performance

One of Boehly’s big-money recruits, Marc Cucurella, grabbed attention with his strong defensive play, keeping a close watch on Arsenal’s star Bukayo Saka. The Spanish left-back, who joined Chelsea in 2022 for a hefty £62 million from Brighton, initially struggled to find his form in West London, often being outpaced by rival attackers. However, his key role in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory seemed to have boosted his confidence, allowing him to become a reliable starter in Maresca’s lineup.

Against Arsenal, Cucurella was in top form, effectively neutralizing Saka and preventing him from creating scoring opportunities. Cucurella’s impressive stats from the game—two tackles and three interceptions—highlighted his growing influence under Maresca.

Lewis Hall: The One That Got Away?

While Cucurella’s performance was impressive, Chelsea may have lost out on an even greater talent in Lewis Hall. The young left-back emerged from Chelsea’s academy during the 2022/23 season, showing promise with 11 first-team appearances. However, after a loan stint at Newcastle United, Hall moved there permanently for a reported £35 million this summer.

While the transfer fee seemed reasonable for an academy graduate with limited senior experience, it’s beginning to look like a missed opportunity for Chelsea. Hall has flourished under Newcastle’s Eddie Howe, appearing in all 11 of their league games this season. Notably, he earned the Man of the Match award for his recent outstanding performance against Saka in Newcastle’s 1-0 win over Arsenal, dominating in his defensive duties with 10 duel wins and three tackles. The Athletic’s George Caulkin described Hall as “exceptional vs Saka,” underscoring the young player’s rapid rise.

Now 20, Hall’s impressive form has earned him a spot in England’s squad for upcoming Nations League games, proving that his development has accelerated since leaving Chelsea.

Boehly’s Investments: A Double-Edged Sword

Boehly’s extensive investment has certainly transformed Chelsea’s roster, enabling Maresca to make strides in his debut season. However, the need to balance the books has forced Chelsea to offload promising talents like Hall, who now represents one of Newcastle’s best assets. Based on his current form, Hall could very well be England’s top left-back, and while Newcastle enjoys the benefits, Chelsea is left wondering what might have been.