Nizaar Kinsella FROM BBC SPORT
Joao Pedro has become the 18th forward to sign for Chelsea in just over three years under their current owners.
He joins from Brighton in a deal worth £60m, taking their total spending on attackers in that period to £560m.
[…] Once Chelsea’s move for Gittens goes through, they will have added Gittens, Joao Pedro and Liam Delap to an already strong attack featuring Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Pedro Neto, Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku, Marc Guiu and Tyrique George.
Estevao Willian is also joining the club after the Club World Cup as he prepares to face Chelsea with Palmeiras on Sunday.
It might feel as though Chelsea are almost doing deals just for the sake of it, but there is a specific plan.
The signing of Joao Pedro is expected to add competition for the number nine and 10 positions, with Nkunku expected to leave.
Gittens will come in as a left winger and replace Jadon Sancho after his loan spell from Manchester United was not made permanent. It’s also worth noting Mykhailo Mudryk remains provisionally suspended for a failed drugs test.
Delap comes in to add competition for Jackson in the number nine position, with Chelsea having looked short up front last season.
Chelsea are not forcing any of the players in their Club World Cup squad out but could accept substantial offers for Madueke or Jackson, who are not deemed untouchable like Palmer is at Stamford Bridge.
It’s worth noting Chelsea have eight attackers for four forward positions, but we haven’t mentioned the likes of midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos, who often play as number 10s as well.
The prospect of loaning out Guiu and George, both 19, remains open. They played a substantial part in last season’s Conference League campaign, but Chelsea need to strengthen the squad now they are back in the Champions League.
The likes of exiled attackers Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix and Armando Broja remain at the club and are available for sale.
Value for money? Chelsea’s attacking signings since 2022
| Player | Initial fee | Games | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mykhailo Mudryk | £62m | 73 | 10 | 8 |
| Christopher Nkunku | £52.7m | 59 | 18 | 5 |
| Pedro Neto | £51.3m | 48 | 9 | 8 |
| Raheem Sterling | £47.5m | 81 | 19 | 12 |
| Joao Felix (both spells) | £42m | 40 | 11 | 2 |
| Cole Palmer | £40m | 94 | 40 | 27 |
| Nicolas Jackson | £31.8m | 80 | 30 | 12 |
| Noni Madueke | £30.7m | 90 | 20 | 7 |
| Liam Delap | £30m | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Deivid Washington | £13.7m | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| David Fofana | £10.5m | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | £10.3m | 21 | 3 | 2 |
| Marc Guiu | £5m | 16 | 6 | 0 |
Pedro, Kellyman, Estevao & Paez are yet to play. Angelo left without doing so.