Forgotten Chelsea wonderkid leaves after EMBARRASSING flop transfer

Suraj Radia

20 Feb 2025 13:30 CST
3 min read

Chelsea are set to see another of their big money signings leave the club without making an impact after agreeing an exit for a forgotten young prospect.

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The Blues have spent more than €1 billion on players since the takeover of Todd Boehly and BlueCo in 2022, with a large amount spent on youthful talents whom Chelsea were hoping to turn a profit on.

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One of the more curious purchases was that of Deivid Washington, who signed for €16 million as an 18-year-old in 2023 despite only making nine first team appearances for Santos.

The forward was handed a seven-year deal but has played just three times in all competitions and has not featured at all this year even with Chelsea’s lack of bodies in attack after Nicolas Jackson’s injury.

The lack of gametime has frustrated Washington and Brazilian outlet ge globo have confirmed that the 19-year-old is now set to re-join Santos on loan for the rest of 2025, with an option to buy for ‘no fixed value’.

The deal is said to have been agreed in January but it was delayed until Washington returned from the South American under-20 Championship, where he won the tournament and finished as Brazil’s top scorer with three goals.

© IMAGO - Deivid Washington has not made an impact at Chelsea.

Washington heading back to Brazil after 25 minutes in two years

Washington has played just 25 minutes in his three games for Chelsea’s first team, with his last appearance coming in April 2024 in a two-minute cameo during a 6-0 win over Everton.

Chelsea had attempted to sell Washington to affiliate club Strasbourg but a €21m transfer last summer was cancelled after concerns due to the deal’s value and the relationship between the two sides.

Current ETV

Deivid Washington

F (C)

Chelsea

Deivid Washington

F (C)

Chelsea

ETV Range

€13.7M - €16.8M

A loan move to Hull was also rejected as Chelsea insisted Washington was still part of the club’s long-term project but, after failing to break into Enzo Maresca’s side, Santos will now bring back their academy graduate.

With the option to buy for an unspecified amount, Chelsea could end up seeing Washington’s seven-year contract end inside two years for a potential loss, marking a disastrous deal for the club and its scattergun transfer approach.