Palmer A, Lavia F: Grading every Chelsea signing this season

Cameron Smith

• 22 Apr 2024 19:00 BST
• 5 min read

Chelsea spent a whopping €467.8 million on new signings last summer, as Todd Boehly backed Mauricio Pochettino in the transfer market.

Clearlake Capital’s investment is yet to pay off, however, with many of the arrivals struggling for fitness during a disappointing first campaign at Stamford Bridge.

Below, FootballTransfers grades every Chelsea signing from the 2023 summer transfer window.

READ MORE: Gordon A, Mudryk D - Grading the most expensive transfers from January 2023

Moises Caicedo (€116m from Brighton): Grade - B

Moises Caicedo has been vastly criticised this season, however that stems from his ludicrous price tag, rather than his actual form.

Sure, the Ecuadorian hasn’t been as good as Declan Rice at Arsenal, but he’s been handed a near impossible task in Chelsea’s midfield and has still performed admirably.

READ MORE: Flop of the season? Moises Caicedo criticism is UNFAIR

Romeo Lavia (€62.1m from Southampton): Grade - F

This may seem extremely harsh, but Romeo Lavia has played 32 minutes of football for Chelsea and for someone who cost over €60m, the lowest grade possible is the only fair rating.

The Belgian international arrived injured, returned to fitness, and then suffered another injury after making his first-team debut. He has been ruled out until next season and won’t be seen for several months.

Christopher Nkunku (€60m from RB Leipzig): Grade - D

Just like Lavia, Christopher Nkunku simply hasn’t played enough football. He does have two goals in just 394 minutes of action, which is why he’d been given a D grading, but the Frenchman also looked leggy during his most of appearances for Chelsea so far.

He’ll be hoping for an injury-free campaign next year because it’s been a wholly disappointing first season at Stamford Bridge.

Cole Palmer (€47m from Man City): Grade - A

The Premier League signing of the season? Quite possibly.

Chelsea would be in a relegation battle without Cole Palmer, which is testament to how well he has performed since arriving from Manchester City. He is a contender for the Premier League Golden Boot and has put his name right into contention for a place in England’s European Championship squad.

Neither of those statements would’ve been believable nine months ago, yet Palmer’s form means they are justified. What a signing.

Axel Disasi (€45m from Monaco): Grade - B

Axel Disasi has shown a lot of passion and heart since joining Chelsea, but he hasn’t been an upgrade on any of their centre-back options.

The only reason he’s been handed a B instead of a C is because the Blues’ injury crisis means he’s been forced to play a lot of football and so his arrival has been helpful in that regard.

Nicolas Jackson (€37m from Villarreal): Grade - C

Nicolas Jackson’s finishing has been fairly woeful since joining Chelsea and he certainly cost them during their FA Cup semi-final defeat to Man City.

However, he had only spent six months as a striker before signing for the Blues and there is obvious promise in his game. Jackson’s link-up play is brilliant and there are signs that suggest he could turn into a bargain buy at just €37m. For now, a C seems fair.

Robert Sanchez (€28.7m from Brighton): Grade - C

Robert Sanchez was a perfectly serviceable goalkeeper during the early weeks of his Chelsea career, but his injury allowed Djordje Petrovic to take over in between the sticks and the Spaniard is now back-up to the Serbian.

For €28.7m, Sanchez has been a slightly poor purchase, especially as Chelsea continue to be linked with signing another goalkeeper.

Lesley Ugochukwu (€27m from Rennes): Grade - C

Lesley Ugochukwu is another who has fallen victim to Chelsea’s injury curse and his 2023-24 campaign looks to be over too.

The young French midfielder was barely given a chance when fully fit, due to the presence of Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, meaning he has only racked up just over 500 minutes of action in a Chelsea shirt thus far.

He hasn’t been a poor addition, but Blues fans simply haven’t seen enough of him just yet.

Deivid Washington (€16m from Santos): Grade - C

It’s hard to accurately grade Deivid Washington as he was clearly a long-term addition, but he is yet to make a first-team impression, despite being the most logical back-up to the aforementioned Jackson.

He has impressed in Chelsea’s youth side, however the Brazilian hasn’t done enough to justify a high grade.

Angelo (€15m from Santos): Grade - C

Angelo’s loan spell at Strasbourg started promisingly as he won Ligue 1’s young player of the month award for September, but his time in France has stagnated since then.

The Brazilian has shown glimpses of promise, however he is yet to justify his price tag and is unlikely to break into the Chelsea first-team next season.

Djordje Petrovic (€14m from New England Revolution): Grade - B

Initially signed as a back-up, Petrovic has exceeded many people’s expectations this season and seems to have forced Sanchez out of the side.

He has made several mistakes in recent weeks, but he’s been a solid ‘keeper for the Blues since arriving. If Chelsea want to go to the next level, however, they may need to sign a slightly superior goalkeeper.