Smashing transfer record is something Chelsea have become accustomed to over the years
Chelsea have have earned a pretty well-established reputation for splashing the cash in the transfer market. Prior to their takeover led by Roman Abramovich in 2003, the Blues enjoyed domestic success with international talent such as Gianfranco Zola, Ruud Gullit and Gianluca Vialli, who all arrived for relatively modest sums.
However, it was upon the arrival of the Russian billionaire that Chelsea’s spending surpassed each and every one of their rivals. Over two decades later, the Premier League side certainly face more competition in the market but their penchant for spending has yet to let up.
The Blues have splashed out more than £1.5billion on new players since BlueCo – led by Todd Boehly, Clearlake Capital, Mark Walter and Hansjorg Wyss – completed their takeover in 2022. The new ownership introduced themselves with a bang in their first full season when acquiring Enzo Fernandez from Benfica.
Chelsea agreed to pay his £106.8m release clause to make him their most expensive player ever while breaking the British transfer record. The 2022 World Cup winner, 25, endured a slow start to life in west London but went on to become indispensable under Enzo Maresca and is expected to be a key figure for Xabi Alonso this season.
However, the Argentine’s future is uncertain with reports suggesting he’s angling for a move to Real Madrid. Holding the title of being Chelsea’s most expensive player is certainly quite the load to bear and one Didier Drogba handled tremendously during his nine-year career at the club across two stints.
The Ivorian cost the Blues £24million in 2004 with the staggering fee also making him the most expensive striker in English football. Drogba paid back his immense price tag in his debut campaign as he netted 16 goals across all competitions as Chelsea won their first Premier League title and triumphed in the League Cup final.
The former striker became an integral part of the winning machine Chelsea became over the next decade and added a further three league titles to his name and the club’s maiden Champions League trophy.
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He left as a club legend in 2012 with 157 goals in 341 games, before returning in 2014 under ex-manager Jose Mourinho to clinch his second Premier League and League Cup double. Setting transfer records by position is something Chelsea have done since Drogba as the club’s purchase of Kepa Arrizabalaga not only set their record but made the Spaniard the most expensive goalkeeper ever – a title he keeps to this day.
The 31-year-old stopper joined in 2018 for £71.6million from Athletic Bilbao but never lived up to his fee with inconsistent form and several notable errors marring his seven-year stay at Chelsea which included loans to Real Madrid and Bournemouth.
The Blues opted to permanently cut ties with Kepa after selling him to rivals Arsenal for just £5m as he went on to win his first Premier League title this season playing back-up to compatriot David Raya.
