da bet7k： Chelsea have proven to be shrewd players on the transfer market
da blaze casino： Chelsea, a traditional powerhouse in English football, are known for buying star footballers. The Blues do not think twice if the opportunity presents itself to snap up a talented footballer, as they have shown many times in the past – be it splashing out £50 million ($60m) on Fernando Torres in 2011 or £97.5m ($116m) on Romelu Lukaku in 2021.
And while their expensive strikers have often struggled at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea's bold approach to the transfer market has paid off in titles. They are one of the most successful English clubs in the 21st century, winning five of their six league titles since 2005.
When you add two Champions Leagues and a couple of Europa League titles into the mix during that time, you see why they've had to expand the trophy cabinet quite a bit in recent years.
However, Chelsea are not simply a buying club. They are shrewd operators and make quite a bit of money through player sales too.
Indeed, the Blues have a well-earned reputation for acquiring young talented players on the cheap and then selling them for a massive profit much later on.
Indeed, Chelsea have raked in over €1 billion (£840m/$1.01bn) in transfer sales since the turn of the century…
Chelsea biggest transfer sales by season
Season
Biggest sale
Fee
Total sales
2023-24
Kai Havertz
£65m
£196m
2022-23
Timo Werner
£18m
£51m
2021-22
Tammy Abraham
£36m
£108m
2020-21
Alvaro Morata
£31.5m
£51.5m
2019-20
Eden Hazard
£103.5m
£141.5m
2018-19
Thibaut Courtois
£31.5m
£75m
2017-18
Diego Costa
£54m
£175m
2016-17
Oscar
£54m
£98m
2015-16
Ramires
£25m
£78.5m
2014-15
David Luiz
£44.5m
£128.5m
2013-14
Juan Mata
£40.3m
£70.1m
2012-13
Daniel Sturridge
£13.5m
£22.9m
2011-12
Yuri Zhirkov
£13.5m
£28.4m
2010-11
Ricardo Carvalho
£7.2m
£14.9m
2009-10
Claudio Pizarro
£1.8m
£3.4m
2008-09
Wayne Bridge
£11.7m
£40.1m
2007-08
Arjen Robben
£31.5m
£39.3m
2006-07
Damien Duff
£14m
£47.3m
2005-06
Tiago Mendes
£9.1m
£31.1m
2004-05
Jesper Gronkjaer
£3m
£3m
2003-04
Mikael Forssell
£675k (loan fee)
£850k
2002-03
Samuele Dalla Bona
£1.4m
£1.9m
2001-02
Jon Harley
£4.7m
£12.9m
2000-01
Tore Andre Flo
£16.2m
£34m
Total
£1.40b (Approx)
Chelsea top 10 most expensive salesGetty ImagesRomelu Lukaku | £31.8m | Everton | 2014
Lukaku was yet another potential star Chelsea's scouting network picked up. The striker was brought in from Anderlecht at the age of 18. Though highly regarded, Lukaku failed to make an impression despite getting a few first team chances in his debut season in 2011-12.
The imposing Belgian did sparkle at West Brom on loan next season. Another loan spell to Everton followed in 2013-14. An impressive season for the Toffees, however, was not enough to convince Chelsea and the club sold him permanently to Everton in the summer of 2014.
Although he left Chelsea without scoring a goal for them, Lukaku would return in 2021 to West London as the club's most expensive player ever.
AdvertisementGettyTammy Abraham | £36m | Roma | 2021
A Chelsea youth product, Tammy Abraham was a regular for the club in the 2019-20 season under Frank Lampard. He had earned the chance after impressive loan spells at Bristol City and Aston Villa. However, despite scoring 18 goals that season, Abraham never convinced anyone at the club.
Thomas Tuchel who took over in 2020-21 season was also not impressed by Abraham. Struggling for gametime, Abraham ended up moving to Roma for €40m (£36m) in the summer of 2021. However, Chelsea did include a buyback clause.
GettyNemanja Matic | £40.2m | Manchester United | 2017
As far as trusted lieutenants of Jose Mourinho go, Nemanja Matic is right up there. The Serbian midfielder, who joined Chelsea as a 20-year-old in 2009, was the cornerstone of Mourinho's Premier League-winning Chelsea side in 2014-15.
Interestingly, he had returned to Chelsea after being sold to Benfica in 2011. In his second spell at Chelsea (from 2014-2017), Matic helped them win two Premier League titles.
By 2017, Mourinho was at Manchester United. Desperately seeking reinforcements in midfield, the Portuguese manager turned to Matic, shelling out £40m ($47m).
Interestingly, Matic left United and joined Roma in the summer of 2022, reuniting with Moutinho.
GettyJuan Mata | £40.3m | Manchester United | 2014
Juan Mata had a sensational start to his career at Chelsea. After moving to Stamford Bridge from Valencia in 2011, Mata was an instant hit. He played a key role as the club won the Champions League (2012) and Europa League (2013) in back-to-back seasons.
But Mourinho's arrival in 2013 derailed Mata's Chelsea career. The Portuguese was not impressed by the Spaniard and Mata eventually became a bit-part player under him. And, in January 2014, when Manchester United came calling, Mata was quick to grab the opportunity.