Chelsea Transfer Analysis Under Abramovich

Summer 2003

The new owner made a huge splash at the start of his tenure, and the outlay in that initial summer has never been matched again. The contrast between this and Claudio Ranieri's shoestring budget from the preceding summer was nothing short of breathtaking.

Biggest signing: Duff (£17m)

Best signing: Makelele (£16.8m)

Other arrivals: Crespo (£16.8m), Mutu (£15.8m), Veron (£15m), Bridge (£7m + Le Saux), Geremi (£7m), Joe Cole (£6.6m), Johnson (£6m), Smertin (£3.5m)

Total spend £111.5m (plus January arrival Parker (£10m))

Summer 2004

The arrival of Jose Mourinho as coach saw the arrival of a pair from his Champions League-winning squad at Porto, Marseille's Didier Drogba (who had impressed the coach when playing against Porto) and goalkeeper Petr Cech, who together with John Terry and Frank Lampard, complete the spine of today's side.

Biggest signing: Drogba (£24m)

Best signing : Cech (£7m)

Other arrivals : Carvalho (£20m), Ferreira (£13.2m), Robben (£12.5m), Tiago (£10m), Kezman (£5m)

Total spend £91.7m (plus January arrival Jarosik (£5m))

Summer 2005

There were two big arrivals in Essien and Wright-Phillips to supplement the title-winning squad, but in general it was the quietest summer since Abramovich's arrival - perhaps reflecting Jose Mourinho's satisfaction with his group.

Biggest/best signing: Essien (£24.4m)

Other arrivals : Wright-Phillips (£21m), Del Horno (£8m), L Diarra (£1m)

Total spend £54.4m (plus January arrival Maniche (loan))

Summer 2006

Spending was up on the previous summer, mainly due to the record arrival of Andrey Shevchenko, but the Blues started to recoup significant funds from the market for the first time in the Abramovich era. The departures of Eidur Gudjohnsen (£8m), Damien Duff (£5m) and Asier Del Horno (£4.8m) headed the exit list.

Biggest signing: Shevchenko (£30m)

Best signing: Ashley Cole (£5m plus William Gallas)

Other arrivals: Mikel (£16m), Boulahrouz (£9m), Kalou (£8m), Ballack (free), Hilario (free)

Total spend £68m

Summer 2007

A significant change in tack, with only £19m in fees leaving the Stamford Bridge coffers and a quartet of free transfers arriving. The £33m raked in from the sales of Arjen Robben, Lassana Diarra and Glen Johnson gave the Blues a transfer window profit for the first time under Abramovich, though January 2008 saw a substantial spend on Nicolas Anelka and Branislav Ivanovic.

Biggest/best signing : Malouda (£13.5m)

Other signings : Belletti (£5.5m), Pizarro (free), Ben Haim (free), Sidwell (free), Alex (free)

Total spend £19m (plus January arrivals Anelka (£15m), and Ivanovic (£9m))



Summer 2008

The arrival of Luiz Felipe Scolari saw a slight increase in summer spending, with the signings of Portugal internationals Bosingwa and Deco. Again, major funds were generated by the departures of Shaun Wright-Phillips, Tal Ben Haim (both Manchester City), Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart) and Steve Sidwell (Aston Villa).

Biggest/best signing : Bosingwa (£16.2m)

Other signings : Deco (£8m), Mineiro (free)

Total spend £24.2m (plus January arrival Quaresma - on loan from Inter)




Summer 2009

Carlo Ancelotti's arrival heralded a quiet summer, with the new coach opting for the sort of stability that had characterised his spell in charge of Milan. Ancelotti had an eye on the future, with the arrival of Russian international Yury Zhirkov supplemented by the arrival of three young prospects.

Biggest/best signing : Zhirkov (£18m)

Other signings : Sturridge (£3.5m), Matic (£1.5m), Turnbull (free)

Total spend £23m

Courtesy :: Goal.com