'Beyond gutted' flop opens up NIGHTMARE Chelsea transfer

Tom Weber

Updated: 19 Mar 2025 15:03 GMT
3 min read

Chelsea summer signing Omari Kellyman has opened up on his miserable first year after being ruled out for the rest of the season through injury.

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The 19-year-old has had a turbulent 12 months. Kellyman joined Chelsea in a shock move from Aston Villa last summer that was viewed quite critically at the time - and for good reason.

It was obvious that his transfer to Stamford Bridge - which saw Ian Maatsen head the other way - was merely a financial exercise to avoid a breach of the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules.

Both players represented 'pure profit' for their respective clubs, so they were effectively traded, with Chelsea agreeing to pay a scarcely believable €22.5 million for someone with six senior appearances to his name.

Unfortunately for Kellyman, his first season at Chelsea has vindicated those who looked at his signing unfavourably.

Kellyman 'beyond gutted' with season

When he joined, Kellyman was not integrated into Enzo Maresca's first team. He instead suited up for the U21s but suffered a long-term hamstring injury after just two games.

He only recently returned, but it has now emerged that he 're-injured' his hamstring against Norwich last week and will now miss the remainder of the campaign.

All told, Kellyman has made three competitive appearances for Chelsea since joining - all for the U21s. The player published a statement following the news of his injury in which he expressed his disappointment with this rotten debut campaign in West London.

"Beyond gutted to say that this season has come to an early end for me due to a re-injury of my hamstring, despite only just returning after having hamstring issues for a massive part of this season.

"24/25 has been a tough season for me mentally and physically due to injury but it’s important now that I take time to get this right and come out the other side stronger and better ready for what next season brings."