Chelsea's disastrous transfer policy laid bare by Omorodion move

Tom Weber

Updated: 24 Aug 2024 08:50 CDT
3 min read

Enzo Maresca, Samu Omorodion, Chelsea — © IMAGO

Chelsea have become a laughing stock in the transfer market.

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Since the takeover by Todd Boehly and his Clearlake consortium in 2022, Chelsea's transfer business has been all over the place. More than €1 billion has been spent but success on the pitch has proved elusive.

Stars are getting sold after just a season and double-digit numbers of players are being brought in with little strategy to speak of. Chelsea are moving for talented youngsters with a view to increasing their value and developing them to the point where they are either good enough for the Blues to challenge at the top of the table or to be sold for a profit.

The problem with this is that Chelsea have repeatedly shown themselves willing to pay over the odds for unproven players. Enzo Fernandez starred at the 2022 World Cup, but that doesn't mean that he is worth €120 million. Mykhailo Mudryk impressed in the Champions League, but €70m is excessive whichever way you look at it.

Chelsea tax

Chelsea are a laughing stock. Other clubs know that if they have a player who has piqued the Blues' interest, they can convince them to pay a premium. Chelsea are expected to complete the signing of Mike Penders from Genk for around €20m - that is €20m for a player who only made his first senior appearance a few weeks ago.

Joao Felix, a player who has flattered to deceive since Atletico Madrid broke the bank and paid €127m on him, has arrived for around €50m, a fee no other club was prepared to pay.

Yet, perhaps the most embarrassing recent Chelsea move doesn't even involve the club when all is said and done. The transfer in question, of course, is Samu Omorodion's move to Porto.

Chelsea initially had an agreement with Atletico for the striker, with the Blues willing to pay €42m for the 20-year-old. The move ultimately collapsed at the final hurdle, so the player and Atleti had to look for a different solution.

Surprisingly, the Spaniard has now joined Porto. What makes it so embarrassing for Chelsea is that Omorodion has moved for just €15m. These initial €15m are for 50 per cent of his rights, so Atleti essentially retain a 50 per cent sell-on clause.

Porto can increase their share of the player by paying an additional €5m next year and then another €5m in 2026. All told, this amounts to €25m for 80 per cent of Omorodion. It's an absolute bargain compared to the agreement Chelsea had and further proof that clubs know that they can rip the Premier League giants off.