NOW that Chelsea can buy again in January, they’ll be linked with a whole host of names as they aim on finishing in the top four and challenging for silverware this season.
And boss Frank Lampard will certainly be tempted to add to his young squad – with the likes of Jadon Sancho and Ben Chilwell already said to be interesting the Blues.
Frank Lampard and Chelsea will be perusing the January sales to add to their squadCredit: Getty – Contributor
But in the past, Chelsea have been hit and miss when it’s come to the January sales.
SunSport takes a look at the West London giants’ business since the winter window opened in 2003.
DAVID LUIZ
Forgetting his current plight with Arsenal, Luiz WAS a Chelsea legend.
In two spells at Stamford Bridge from 2011-14 to 2016-19. he won the Premier League title, two FA Cups, a Champions League and two Europa Leagues.
He cost Chelsea a combined total of around £55m in transfer fees, which they almost recouped from PSG in between his time at the club.
Chelsea bought Luiz twice, spending around £55m on him on transfer feesCredit: Getty – Contributor
KEVIN DE BRUYNE
In 2012, Chelsea brought Man City star Kevin De Bruyne to our shores.
He was bought by Jose Mourinho from Genk for a reported fee of £7m, and was delighted of the prospect of lining up for the Premier League side.
“To come to a team like Chelsea is a dream but now I have to work hard to achieve the level that’s necessary,” he said at the time.
But unfortunately, it didn’t work out for the Belgium international – who moved to Wolfsburg after a successful loan for £18m.
Kevin De Bruyne failed to make his mark at Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty – Contributor
GARY CAHILL
Reliable, no-nonsense and sturdy – England international Cahill was exactly what Chelsea needed at the time.
And he was a steal at just £7m – going on to play 290 times between 2011-19.
He won two Premier League titles, two FA Cups, a League Cup, a Champions League, as well as two Europa Leagues.
Former Chelsea manager André Villas-Boas once said of Cahill, “I think his technical attributes are immense and his pace is fantastic.”
Gary Cahill won many trophies at Stamford Bridge, including last seasons’ Europa LeagueCredit: Reuters
JUAN CUADRADO
Recognised as one of Chelsea’s worst ever signings, the Blues threw down £28m to secure the Colombian winger from Fiorentina, where in fairness he was a star.
But after just 15 TERRIBLE performances, in which Cuadrado appeared out of his depth, he was returned to sender back to Italy.
He has since rebuilt his career at Juventus, but Chelsea fans will be left scratching his head how.
Juan Cuadrado cost Chelsea an astonishing £28m and made just 15 appearancesCredit: PA:Press Association
FERNANDO TORRES
The Spanish centre forward was a revelation at Liverpool, where he took the Premier League by storm.
However, something got lost in translation when he moved Chelsea for £50m – a British transfer record at the time.
The goals didn’t come as freely in West London as they did at Anfield.
But you could argue he paid off his fee with THAT Champions League semi final goal against Barcelona in the Camp Nou that sent the Blues to a final against Bayern Munich, which they then won.
Fernando Torres’ famous goal at the Camp Nou justified his price tagCredit: AFP – Getty
MO SALAH
Like De Bruyne, Salah is prospering elsewhere – and is now one of the most feared forwards in world football.
But before the Egyptian made his name at with the Reds, he was trying to kick-start his career in England with Chelsea.
And when they signed him in 2011 from Basel, he actually cost a hefty £11m.
However, he failed to break into the first team and was shipped off to Serie, first on loan at Fiorentina, then to Roma which became a permanent move in 2016.
Mo Salah was a flop at Chelsea and went to Serie A to make his nameCredit: Chelsea FC
RICARDO QUARESMA
A mercurial talent on his day, famed for his dribbling prowess and free kicks, the Portuguese winger was a no risk loan in 2009 after Inter Milan wanted shot of him.
Premier League defenders didn’t take kindly to his showboating skills and he failed to make his mark in England.
He made just four appearances for the club before returning to Italy with his tail between his legs.
Ricardo Quaresma failed to show his famous skills at Stamford BridgeCredit: PA:Press Association
SCOTT PARKER
The combative midfielder, now Fulham manager, was Chelsea’s first ever January transfer window signing back in 2004, when the Blues splashed £10m on the talent from Charlton.
He was signed as cover for Frank Lampard and Claude Makelele, so his chances were limited.
Then he suffered a broken bone in his foot, and was sidelined towards the end of the season missing out on a Premier League winners medal because he hadn’t played enough games.
Chelsea cut their losses and sold Parker the following summer for £6.5m to Newcastle United.
Scott Parker was brought to Chelsea as cover for Frank Lampard and Claude MakeleleCredit: PA:Press Association
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC
Ivanovic was an incredible servant for Chelsea, playing 377 games for the Blues, and winning three Premier League titles, three FA Cups, one League Cup, a Champions League and Europa League.
However, for the first six months people forget he never played a game, despite costing £9.7m from Lokomotiv Moscow.
Avram Grant thought he suffered from a lack of match fitness because the Russian Premier League had ended months earlier.
Ivanovic almost came close to leaving Chelsea that summer, but it was Andriy Shevchenko who convinced him to stay.
Branislav Ivanovic was a loyal servant to Chelsea, playing 377 games for the clubCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
NEMANJA MATIC
A Jose Mourinho favourite, Matic played under The Special One for Chelsea and Manchester United, and is now tipped for a move to Spurs.
Again, it’s forgotten that the tough-tackling Serb had two spells in West London.
He cost Chelsea £1.5m in 2009 from Kosice, after having a trial with Middlesbrough.
Matic then moved to Benfica in a swap deal that saw David Luiz go to Chelsea in 2011.
Three years later, Mourinho bought him back for £21m.
Nemanja Matic had two spells at ChelseaCredit: Rex Features
PATRICK BAMFORD
A player that divides opinion, Bamford is now leading the line for Championship-chasing Leeds United.
Chelsea snapped him up for £1.5m from Nottingham Forest in 2012, a month after he made his debut.
Bamford enjoyed several loans in the lower leagues, with MK Dons, Derby Middlesbrough, Crystal Palace, Norwich and Burnley.
In 2017, Chelsea sold him for a hefty profit of £5.5m to Boro, without ever playing a game for the club.
Patrick Bamford never played a professional game for ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard promises to spend big after transfer ban lifted and warns youngsters to fight to keep their place
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
