CHELSEA fans understandably have a love-hate relationship with transfers.
Since Roman Abrahmovich piled money into the club in 2003, the Blues have been one of the most active sides.
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Chelsea have a history of poor judgment in the transfer marketCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Premier League club’s need to be the best has seen them make some rash decisions, such as selling Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah.
Of course, Chelsea have signed some gems down the years, including Didier Drogba and N’Golo Kante.
But for every hit, there have been a few big misses.
Even what seems like an obviously smart move can backfire if you’re Chelsea.
In the Premier League era, they’ve signed a host of proven superstars, only to watch crumble in front of their very eyes.
We take a look at seven of the biggest stars who flopped under the pressure in West London…
FERNANDO TORRES
Fernando Torres was a shell of his former self at ChelseaCredit: Reuters
AFTER smashing 81 goals in just 142 games for Liverpool – and with a World Cup and European Championship medal under his belt – Chelsea moved for Torres in 2011.
The Blues splashed £50million to bring the Spaniard to Stamford Bridge on deadline day in January – despite him having struggled with injuries in the months leading up to the move.
Torres now features in every conceivable ‘worst-ever transfers’ list after struggling mightily in London… although he did help the club win the Champions League in 2012.
The Spanish star scored just 20 goals in 110 Premier League games and – after loans to AC Milan and Atletico Madrid – was sold to the latter in 2016.
Torres retired in 2019 after two years at Japanese side Sagan Tosu.
ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO
Andriy Shevchenko struggled at Chelsea after years of dominance in ItalyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
IN May 2006, Chelsea fans were left in awe after signing then-AC Milan superstar Shevchenko for a £30.8m fee.
The Ukrainian had developed a reputation for being one of the world’s top strikers, scoring 172 times for Milan in just seven seasons.
But after moving to Chelsea, Shevchenko couldn’t hit a barn door with banjo, managing just NINE Premier League goals in 48 games.
After a failed loan spell back at the San Siro – scoring ZERO goals in 18 Serie A games – Shevchenko was sold to Dynamo Kiev in 2009, where he finished his career after three seasons.
GONZALO HIGUAIN
Higuain looked out of shape and out of form during his time in LondonCredit: Reuters
FORTUNATELY for Chelsea, this failed move was only a loan deal… otherwise they might have been lumbered with the flop for much longer.
Higuain arrived at Stamford Bridge midway through the 2018-19 season after he was shoved out of the Juventus starting XI following Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival.
The Argentine had broken the Serie A goals record in 2015-16, scoring 36 league goals in just 35 games at Napoli.
And he netted a further 40 across his next two season after moving to Juve.
But at Chelsea, Higuain managed just five goals in 19 appearances in all competitions, looking a shell of his former self.
After just eight goals at Juventus last season, Higuain was sold to David Beckham’s Inter Miami – where he has scored just ONCE in nine games.
It was a screamer, though – and you can watch it here…
KEPA ARRIZABALAGA
Kepa is the most-expensive goalkeeper in the world but certainly hasn’t played like itCredit: Reuters
THE Spanish stopper arrived at Stamford Bridge from Athletic Bilbao as the most-expensive goalkeeper in history.
Liverpool had signed Alisson for a then-record £67m, only for the Blues to splash out £71.6m on Kepa weeks later.
But since arriving in 2018, Kepa has looked a shell of his LaLiga self, making error after error.
Last season, he was dropped for 39-year-old veteran Willy Caballero – with Frank Lampard signing Edouard Mendy as his permanent replacement this season.
His Chelsea career appears to be over, with the club even naming technical director Petr Cech in their squad as back-up.
On top of his poor form, Kepa also controversially refused to be substituted late in the 2019 Carabao Cup final so he could be between the sticks for the penalty shootout.
An irate Maurizio Sarri – then Chelsea boss – stormed down the tunnel only to be held back by Antonio Rudiger on his return to prevent a confrontation.
ALVARO MORATA
Morata cost £65m but paid back that fee with just 16 goalsCredit: AFP or licensors
IN July 2017, Chelesa were desperately hunting a new striker, with both Morata and Romelu Lukaku linked.
Lukaku moved to Manchester United for £75m, with Morata the ‘cheaper’ option for Chelsea at £65m.
Having starred at Juventus and Real Madrid – the Spaniard managed just 16 Premier League goals in 47 games.
Morata was then shipped off on an 18-month loan to Atletico Madrid, where his deal became permanent in the summer of 2020.
He was immediately loaned back to Juventus after Los Rojiblancos signed Luis Suarez.
Morata recently revealed he wants to retire at Getafe – for whom he spent one season as a youth player.
DECO
Deco never came close to replicating his Barcelona form in EnglandCredit: AFP
THE Portugal legend signed for Chelsea in 2008 after four years of sublime football at Barcelona.
Deco even came runner up in the 2004 Ballon d’Or race, behind Shevchenko.
But Deco failed to live up to his reputation in the Premier League, scoring five times in 43 games before being sold to Brazilian side Fluminese.
RICARDO QUARESMA
Quaresma struggled at Chelsea and Inter Milan but rediscovered his form at PortCredit: PA:Press Association
AFTER red-hot spells at Barcelona and Porto, Chelsea fans were excited after Quaresma arrived on loan midway through the 2008-09 season.
The winger had just been voted as the ‘worst player in Italy’ the season before while at Inter Milan.
And he didn’t fare much better at Chelsea – playing just four matches, while failing to score.
Quaresma was later sold to Besiktas by Inter, before being moved on again to Al-Ahli in the UAE.
The winger enjoyed a resurgence later in his career after returning to Porto and was even a part of Portugal’s 2018 World Cup squad – scoring a screamer against Iran.
Chelsea star Thiago Silva shows off his skills in the training ground
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
