Chelsea`s substantial spending and recruitment strategies in recent seasons have certainly caused a stir among England`s leading football clubs, frequently grabbing headlines.
While significant transfer fees are common in modern football, few clubs have matched Chelsea`s reported outlay of around £1.3 billion in just the last three years. This level of spending would typically raise concerns about their compliance with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), wouldn`t it?
Interestingly, that`s not the case. Enzo Maresca`s team is currently reported to be in a very healthy financial position regarding PSR, holding a surplus of £300 million. This standing is partly attributed to sales from their women`s team and other club assets around Stamford Bridge.
It`s clear that Chelsea has effectively navigated the existing regulations, allowing them to continue their heavy investment in the squad this summer.
Having already completed three signings less than ten days into the transfer window, what would be considered a productive summer for many clubs is merely the beginning for Chelsea, with numerous other potential targets still being linked with a move to the Bridge.
Chelsea`s Transfer Pursuits This Summer
Despite securing a fourth-place finish in the Premier League last season, Maresca`s side is actively looking to strengthen multiple areas of the pitch during this transfer window.
Hugo Ekitiké has been mentioned as a target for the attack, while midfielders like Eberechi Eze and Fermin Lopez are reportedly being considered for midfield reinforcements.
However, the defence hasn`t been overlooked. Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande is reportedly back on Chelsea`s radar, reigniting previous summer interest, according to reports via CaughtOffside.
The reports suggest that the 21-year-old is viewed as both an immediate and long-term solution for the central defence, but Chelsea faces strong competition from Arsenal for his signature.
It`s also stated that the Sporting youngster has an €80 million (£67 million) release clause in his contract, though there`s no indication whether Sporting would be open to negotiating a lower fee.
Why Diomande Could Be a Better Fit Than Guehi for Chelsea
Marc Guehi is a well-regarded Premier League centre-back who has earned multiple call-ups for England, even participating in the Euros final in 2024.
The 24-year-old also had a memorable season with Crystal Palace, helping them secure the FA Cup and subsequent Europa League qualification for the 2025/26 season.
Guehi could potentially still be playing for Chelsea today, but they sold him to Crystal Palace prematurely in 2021 for a fee around £18 million.
Despite recent speculation linking Chelsea with a move to re-sign their former academy graduate, especially as he enters the final year of his current contract, they should perhaps look past Guehi and prioritize a deal for Diomande.
Football analyst Ben Mattinson has described Diomande as a “hybrid” of Arsenal`s accomplished centre-back pairing, Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.
Gabriel and Saliba have been instrumental in Arsenal`s defensive strength in recent seasons, helping them concede a league-low 34 goals in 38 matches last term. This comparison highlights the significant praise Diomande has received from Mattinson.
Comparing Diomande`s statistics to Guehi`s shows the Ivorian outperforming the Englishman in several key areas, including pass completion rate and progressive passes, indicating a strong ability to play out from the back, which would suit Maresca.
| How Diomande compares to Guehi in 2024/25 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Statistics (per 90) | Diomande | Guehi |
| Games played | 31 | 34 |
| Pass accuracy | 94% | 83% |
| % of tackles won | 79% | 66% |
| Interceptions made | 1.2 | 0.8 |
| Recoveries made | 5.1 | 4.2 |
| Aerials won | 67% | 54% |
| Progressive passes | 3.9 | 2.9 |
Diomande also demonstrates defensive dominance, winning a higher percentage of tackles and making more interceptions than Guehi. This suggests he could significantly bolster Chelsea`s defensive department, potentially emulating the success of local rivals Arsenal in this area.
While many supporters might dream of a reunion with Guehi, the club would be wise to look beyond him and instead focus on securing a move for Diomande.
The Ivorian defender is a younger prospect with considerable potential and could develop into one of Europe`s top defensive stars in the coming years if he makes the switch to West London.
