Alejandro Garnacho agreement reached as Chelsea's £277m transfer flurry scrutinised

Chelsea are set for another busy summer in the transfer market with not all of the Blues' 2025 signings proving successful

With the season being in its final stages, it is only natural for supporters to have half an eye on the upcoming summer transfer window. Nothing quite gets fans' blood pumping like a transfer window.

For Chelsea, their five-strong football leadership team of Laurence Stewart, Paul Winstanley, Dave Fallows, Joe Shields and Sam Jewell have already been working closely with head coach Liam Rosenior to identify the areas the club need to strengthen in the off-season. Speaking last week, Rosenior said: "We're having really detailed conversations now about the areas that we need to strengthen.

"I've had great conversations about what I think we need. We're very aligned, actually, in terms of where we want to strengthen and how we go about that, which is very exciting.

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"The most important bit, though, is making sure we get the now right as well. It's great to be able to plan for the future but I want to make sure we're also in a good place. We want to win. That's why I'm here, and I'm having really good conversations with the ownership and sporting directors about that."

'Getting the now right' is crucial and for Rosenior, that has been the difficult part over the last couple of weeks. Four straight defeats have left clouds hanging over Stamford Bridge as we enter the final international break of the 2025/26 season and it has led to a large portion of supporters calling for players to be sold, and to be signed, when the summer transfer window comes around.

Chelsea spent an estimated £277million last summer on new signings but it has not been easy for everyone to bed in. So, with a bit of time to look and reflect, our Chelsea writers Bobby Vincent and Jake Stokes discuss which signings have been a success, which have failed and what to do next.

Joao Pedro

Bobby: Let's start with an easy one. Joao Pedro has been a fantastic signing for the Blues. I'm not sure anyone could disagree with that.

Chelsea paid £60million for the former Brighton forward and a few raised their eyebrows at that, but with 18 goals (14 of them in the Premier League) in his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge, few can question his impact.

Bobby's verdict: Keep

Jake: Despite a topsy-turvy season for Chelsea, on and off the pitch, Joao Pedro has been excellent throughout. More often than not, the striker has been feeding off scraps, and yet he's still managed to directly contribute to nearly 30 goals across all competitions by March.

Even without his output in the final third, he has always led by example with his aggressiveness in the duel, intensity in the press, and tenacity in retrieving possession. Top player.

Jake's verdict: Keep

Jamie Gittens

Bobby: It has been a tricky first campaign at Chelsea for Gittens. At the time of writing, the 21-year-old has made 27 appearances in all competitions for the Blues, but has not featured since January 31 due to a hamstring injury.

Gittens was set to return a couple of weeks ago but suffered a setback in his recovery. We have only been able to see glimpses of the former Borussia Dortmund man's talents thus far in a Chelsea shirt but patience might be required. If Chelsea do add another left-sided winger in the summer, then I think a loan would be the smartest option for all parties.

Bobby's verdict: Loan

Jake: Although Gittens hasn't lived up to his eye-watering price tag, he's got bags of potential just waiting to be unlocked. Since joining Chelsea, the winger has shown flashes of promise, but he's never been given the chance to build any momentum or truly stake a claim for an undisputed place in the starting line-up.

That appears to have dented his confidence, and understandably so. Gittens needs a spell on loan to help him come out of his shell.

Jake's verdict: Loan

Alejandro Garnacho

Bobby: There was a mini purple patch, if you can call it that, for Garnacho recently. The Argentine was exceptional in the win at Aston Villa and then impressed a few days later in the FA Cup tie at Wrexham but was less impressive in the four matches after.

I probably would keep him, but I don't think for one second he should be Chelsea's starting left-sided winger next season.

Bobby's verdict: Keep

Jake: Garnacho has been unfairly scrutinised during his spell at Chelsea. The winger arrived from Manchester United with a reputation as something of a troublemaker, but his attitude has been exemplary.

He's a chance magnet. Garnacho has a habit of being exactly where you want him to be in the final third, and, as he matures on the pitch, he'll grow out of his wastefulness. If Chelsea can sign a world-class left-winger in the summer, he'd be the perfect understudy.

Jake's verdict: Keep

Mamadou Sarr

Bobby: Sarr had a difficult night last week with the Senegal international making a costly mistake for the opening goal of the Champions League last-16 second leg defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. The 20-year-old, though, for the most part, has impressed when called upon after returning from his loan spell with Strasbourg in the mid-season transfer window.

There is definite potential there and he could well have an exciting future at Stamford Bridge. Though, the club need to bolster their centre-back options in the summer, so Sarr should be a back-up next season.

Bobby's verdict: Keep

Jake: Sarr hasn't played nearly as much as he would've liked since being recalled from loan at Strasbourg. Higher-ups at Chelsea haven't done the defender any favours either, bringing him back into a fractured environment.

With all things considered, he's done okay when called upon. Next season, hopefully, once things have calmed down, Sarr will be able to get his feet under the table and showcase why he was regarded as a top prospect in France.

Jake's verdict: Keep

Estevao Willian

Bobby: It has been a brilliant debut season in England for Estevao and even the most casual of football fans can see what an exciting young talent he is. The Brazil international is already, at 18 years old, one of Chelsea's most dangerous attacking players.

If this has been a season of adaptation and bedding in for Estevao, it is scary to think what he might produce next term.

Bobby's verdict: Keep

Jake: Chelsea have a top player on their hands. The winger has been a joy to watch, and it’s a shame that he's not yet had a proper chance to build some momentum. Just when you think he's set for a run of games, something happens, whether it's a managerial decision, an injury scare or a teammate gets sent off!

Estevao left his homeland at just 18 to start a new life on the other side of the world, yet it's easy to forget how young he is. The Brazilian has the quality to impact games NOW, and the potential to do so for years to come.

Jake's verdict: Keep

Liam Delap

Bobby: This might sound brutal but I struggle to see what Delap offers this Chelsea side. I don't think that's all down to him; there seems to be a struggle from his teammates to get the best out of him and I believe that could be a system problem. Delap doesn't seem to suit the system more than anything else.

It was a gamble worth taking from the Blues' perspective, given he was £30million but it could be time for the club to try and at least get their money back for the 23-year-old striker.

Bobby's verdict: Sell

Jake: Delap just hasn't been the right fit for Chelsea. He arrived as a striker who came alive in transition, yet the Blues – a team that looks to dominate possession – often find themselves trying to break down a low block. That said, even when the ball has fallen to Delap in the final third, he’s been pretty wasteful. The Englishman has previously proven he's a good finisher, so perhaps he, too, would benefit from more game time.

Delap would be perfect for a team like Brentford, especially if Igor Thiago leaves in the summer. Chelsea only paid Ipswich Town about £30m for his signature, so they wouldn't have any problems recuperating, or maybe even making a profit, on that fee.

Jake's verdict: Sell

Jorrel Hato

Bobby: The Netherlands international has been brilliant since Rosenior came in. Under Enzo Maresca, Hato was barely used comparatively. It speaks volumes that Rosenior trusts the Dutchman at centre-back, too, given most of his time in a Chelsea shirt has come at left-back.

I'm excited to see Hato's continued development over the next year or so. He could become a top player.

Bobby's verdict: Keep

Jake: Hato has been a breath of fresh air this year. The defender has really come out of his shell, and looks set to play a key role for Chelsea – whether that's in a back-three or back-four – in years to come.

Of course, there's room for improvement, but he's good on the ball and aggressive in the duel. Hato is also blessed with a Kyle Walker-esque blistering recovery pace, which any future manager of the Blues will love.

Jake's verdict: Keep

Dario Essugo

Bobby: We've barely seen Essugo at all. The 21-year-old midfielder has appeared just once this season - a cameo against Wrexham earlier in the month. Chelsea see a lot of potential with the Portuguese midfielder but unfortunately we haven't been able to see it just yet.

Essugo, when fit, will be a useful back-up option at Stamford Bridge but he may benefit more from a loan next season.

Bobby's verdict: Loan

Jake: Essugo has missed much of the season due to injury, so it's difficult to jump to any conclusions on his future. That said, he made a good impression in the FA Cup clash against Wrexham not too long ago.

As much as he would benefit from a spell on loan, Chelsea need to keep him. The Blues cannot afford to run Moises Caicedo into the ground next term.

Jake's verdict: Keep