The Athletic FC Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Why are Chelsea signing players already?
Release Date: March 28, 2025
Hosts: Ayo Akinwolere, featuring David Ornstein, Phil Hay, Adam Crafton, and Matt Slater
Special Guests: Simon Johnson (Chelsea Reporter), Tim Spears

Introduction to Early Transfer Activity

Adam Leventhal [01:23]:
"Coming up, the summer transfer window doesn't open until mid June, yet Chelsea are not waiting around having already agreed deals for Dario Asugo and Giovanni Quenda. So why are Chelsea doing their business so early and should other clubs be following suit?"

The hosts introduce the main topic of the episode: Chelsea's proactive approach in securing player transfers well before the official summer window.

Chelsea's Proactive Transfer Strategy

Agreed Deals and Prospective Signings

Simon Johnson [01:58]:
"Apart from the two you've already mentioned, there's a few more that will be joining up with the club this summer. Kendrick Paez, Esteban Willian from Palmeiras, and Mamadou Saw from Strasbourg are set to arrive."

Simon outlines the key players Chelsea has secured early, highlighting their potential impact on the squad.

Focus on Young Talent and Competition

Simon Johnson [02:54]:
"Chelsea love wingers. This guy is they see as one of the best young wingers or youngsters in the world... They move for him early because they're aware of five, six clubs that were keen to get him as well."

Chelsea's strategy emphasizes acquiring promising young talents to bolster their squad depth, especially in positions where they anticipate future needs.

Impact on Chelsea Fans and Club Dynamics

Shift from the Abramovich Era

Simon Johnson [04:27]:
"Yeah, Chelsea fans are in a sort of perennial state of frustration... Chelsea are working on a center forward, but there's no guarantees. This will be like an Andrey Shevchenko or a Fernando Torres that Chelsea spent an absolute fortune on in the Abramovich time, who neither of them particularly succeeded."

Simon discusses the shift from Chelsea's previous transfer strategies under Roman Abramovich, where the club focused on established stars, to the current emphasis on developing young prospects.

Fan Frustration and Expectations

Adam Leventhal [04:06]:
"They are still signing prospects, and I guess that will frustrate the fans again."

Adam highlights the potential frustration among Chelsea supporters due to the club's focus on signing young, unproven talent instead of established players.

Analysis of Specific Player Signings

Dario Asugo and Giovanni Quenda

Simon Johnson [02:54]:
"Chelsea feel that there's an absence or a lack of backup for Moises Caicedo and they see him as someone that can provide that backup."

Simon explains the strategic importance of Asugo and Quenda in addressing positional gaps within the team.

Esteban Willian and Andres Santos

Simon Johnson [05:49]:
"Andres Santos... he's become one of, if not the best midfielder in Ligue 1. Esteban Willian is definitely going to be a part of things."

Andres Santos and Esteban Willian are highlighted as key additions poised to make significant contributions to Chelsea's midfield.

Role of Enzo Maresca in Recruitment

Adam Leventhal [17:36]:
"How much of a say does Enzo Maresca get on all of this in terms of recruitment?"

Simon Johnson [17:48]:
"He will have his say... But I think the general philosophy is still being that the ship is still being steered by the people above him."

Discussion on the influence of manager Enzo Maresca in the club's transfer decisions, balancing his input with the overarching strategy set by the sporting directors.

Chelsea's Transfer Strategy Compared to Other Premier League Clubs

Tim Spears [08:01]:
"They spend a billion and a half. The net spend is sort of 800 million... by far the most in the Premier League."

Tim provides a critical perspective on Chelsea's massive financial investment in the transfer market compared to their on-field performance.

Simon Johnson [11:21]:
"I would argue that there's sort of a bit of both. So in Kendrick Paez's case, he's in the... There's a lot of sums in that sort of department."

Simon discusses the balance between high-cost signings and strategic acquisitions, emphasizing that Chelsea employs a mix of both approaches.

Future Implications and Upcoming Strategies

Special Transfer Window Considerations

Simon Johnson [20:56]:
"It is a big factor because obviously the time in the Club World cup and if Chelsea get to the final... there's a special transfer window opening from June 1 to June 10 that has been agreed by the Premier League."

Explanation of how Chelsea's participation in the Club World Cup necessitates early and strategic player acquisitions to accommodate a tight preseason schedule.

Potential Departures and Squad Overhaul

Simon Johnson [16:32]:
"Chelsea are looking to not only sell, but to fund the big purchase of a striker and another winger apart from Andres Santos."

Simon outlines potential player departures as Chelsea aims to balance incoming talent with outgoing assets to optimize the squad.

Fan Base Sentiments and Club Culture

Nostalgia for the Abramovich Era

Simon Johnson [35:09]:
"... there’s still that sort of understandable nostalgia and love for the Abramovich era... It's very hard for them to accept failure because they’re so used to this sort of bizarre model from the Abramovich era working for them."

Simon addresses the lingering affection and high expectations Chelsea fans have for the club's former ownership, impacting their acceptance of the current strategic direction.

Adam Leventhal [36:45]:
"Calling for Roman Abramovich to come back and everything that entails, which is slightly bizarre from my point of view."

Adam reflects on fan protests that express a desire to return to the club's previous ownership and managerial strategies.

Managerial Stability and Future Prospects

Tim Spears [33:52]:
"I think he's probably done enough to earn another season at least. And that's where you start to create a bit of stability, which is the one thing that Chelsea have lacked for such a long time."

Tim emphasizes the importance of maintaining managerial stability with Enzo Maresca to foster long-term growth and consistency within the team.

Simon Johnson [27:12]:
"I don’t think they’re thinking about getting rid of Maresca. That might disappoint some of his detractors in the stands, but I think he’s sort of seen as having a positive first season."

Simon supports the notion that Maresca has earned his position, despite some fan dissatisfaction, and is crucial for the club's evolving strategy.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The episode closes with reflections on Chelsea's ambitious yet tumultuous transfer strategies, the balancing act between managerial input and executive decisions, and the enduring challenges posed by fan expectations and historical comparisons.

Adam Leventhal [39:15]:
"Appreciate your time today. Pleasure and thanks to you, Tim, as always."

Final acknowledgments and sign-offs wrap up the discussion, setting the stage for continued analysis in future episodes.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Simon Johnson [02:54]:
  "Chelsea love wingers. This guy is they see as one of the best young wingers or youngsters in the world..."

• Simon Johnson [04:27]:
  "...Chelsea are working on a center forward, but there's no guarantees. This will be like an Andrey Shevchenko or a Fernando Torres that Chelsea spent an absolute fortune on in the Abramovich time, who neither of them particularly succeeded."

• Tim Spears [08:01]:
  "They spend a billion and a half. The net spend is sort of 800 million... by far the most in the Premier League."

• Simon Johnson [11:21]:
  "I would argue that there's sort of a bit of both. So in Kendrick Paez's case, he's in the... There's a lot of sums in that sort of department."

• Simon Johnson [16:32]:
  "Chelsea are looking to not only sell, but to fund the big purchase of a striker and another winger apart from Andres Santos."

• Simon Johnson [35:09]:
  "...there’s still that sort of understandable nostalgia and love for the Abramovich era..."

• Tim Spears [33:52]:
  "I think he's probably done enough to earn another season at least. And that's where you start to create a bit of stability, which is the one thing that Chelsea have lacked for such a long time."

Conclusion

This episode of The Athletic FC Podcast provides an in-depth analysis of Chelsea's early transfer activities, exploring the strategic reasons behind their proactive approach, the impact on the squad and fanbase, and the broader implications for the club's future. Through insightful discussions with Chelsea reporter Simon Johnson and analyst Tim Spears, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and challenges Chelsea faces in their current transfer strategy and managerial stability.