Chelsea Transfers

[Vesper 30,127]

7 minutes ago, Pizy said:

Sure does feel silent all around so far today. Expected to hear more Madueke stuff when I woke up and generally about a bunch of activity around the league. 

• Chelsea are expecting offers of more than £50m for 23-year-old England forward Noni Madueke, who has agreed personal terms with Arsenal over a move. (Telegraph)

[Vesper 30,127]

Arsenal

https://thedailybriefing.io/i/167678851/arsenal

• - OFFICIAL: Martin Zubimendi joins Arsenal on €65m deal from Real Sociedad, as agreed since May. Zubi will take shirt number 36.

• Martin Zubimendi on why he joined Arsenal. “It’s a young, highly motivated and ambitious team. They have shown their potential recently, and I believe the best is yet to come. As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are. Andrea [Berta] and Mikel [Arteta] took excellent care of me, leaving me with no doubts whatsoever. This is a huge moment in my career. It's the move I was looking for; one I wanted to make. Of course, it's a big change, but I'm ready to get started.”

• Sporting's 27-year-old Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres is prepared to give up about £2m in wages to help push through his £70m move to Arsenal. (Record)

• Talks between Arsenal and Sporting for Viktor Gyokeres are at the final stages. All parties now optimistic. (Ben Jacobs)

  

• Negotiations between Arsenal and Chelsea for Noni Madueke are planned for next week after the player has given the green light for the move. (Florian Plettenberg)

• How much Arsenal may need to pay to sign Chelsea's Noni Madueke this summer. More details!

[Thor 2,693]

1 hour ago, Vesper said:

• RB Leipzig are demanding €100m for Benjamin Šeško. (Sky Sport Germany)

🤪

He’s not even better than Delap. 

[mkh 576]

Liverpool tried to poach Chelsea's Rising Talent Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, but the youngster signed with Chelsea, as reported by @LewisBower2021

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19 minutes ago, mkh said:

Liverpool tried to poach Chelsea's Rising Talent Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, but the youngster signed with Chelsea, as reported by @LewisBower2021

Ryan Kavuma-McQueen

 

[Fernando 6,585]

2 hours ago, Vesper said:

• Chelsea are expecting offers of more than £50m for 23-year-old England forward Noni Madueke, who has agreed personal terms with Arsenal over a move. (Telegraph)

If we get 50 mill then good business. 

Was a good buy that we gave a chance, but he always blew hot and cold. I rather Estevao get the minutes that he was going to get here. 

[Vesper 30,127]

1 minute ago, Fernando said:

If we get 50 mill then good business. 

Was a good buy that we gave a chance, but he always blew hot and cold. I rather Estevao get the minutes that he was going to get here. 

The improvements in Noni Madueke’s game that have attracted Arsenal

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6470817/2025/07/06/arsenal-noni-madueke-tactical-profile/

One thing Arsenal might have learnt from 2024-25 is the value of having options to choose from.

Last season the club’s Premier League and Champions League chances were impacted by unfortunate injuries, which left them short of replacements at key moments.

More game time for a selected group of players increased their physical load, and by the end of the season there were moments when Mikel Arteta’s side looked fatigued.

Load management is another area where having a stronger squad has its benefits. It allows you to rest your star players without dropping the overall level of the team.

Currently, Arsenal are looking at different profiles for a more versatile attacking player, with Eberechi Eze, Morgan Rogers and Noni Madueke all in the mix. Rogers’ and Eze’s profiles have common characteristics, but Madueke is more of a winger who operates better near the touchline.

It is with Madueke that the club have agreed personal terms, as reported by The Athletic, and here is what may make him appealing to Arsenal.

 

(Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

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Let’s start with Madueke’s obvious strengths. The 23-year-old is a direct dribbler who thrives in one-versus-one situations and is able to play on either flank, with the majority of his minutes coming down the right wing.

Arsenal’s focus on attacking those areas plays to Madueke’s profile, and his ability out wide would offer Arteta an additional option, and the chance to rest Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli more often.

Madueke’s dribbling is the most eye-catching part of his game, with his speed and ability to go both ways being vital.

Last season, 33 per cent of his total carries in the Premier League were progressive, defined as carries greater than five metres and move the ball at least five metres towards the opposition goal — only Jeremy Doku (38 per cent) had a higher share among players who played at least 900 minutes.

Madueke is able to drive at defenders while controlling the ball close to him and pushing it forward at the right moment, as in this example from Chelsea’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.

His other dribbling option in the wide areas is taking the defender on the outside, as illustrated in his carries map below.

Down the right flank, Madueke’s dribbling on the outside theoretically puts him on his weaker foot, but his ability to use his right foot to strike at goal or pick one of his team-mates is actually one of his strengths.

Here, against Nottingham Forest in October, Murillo decides to force Madueke to dribble outside, something the right winger is more than happy to do. Madueke drives past the Forest centre-back, before playing the cutback with his right foot to Cole Palmer.

Another feature of Madueke’s game is his ability to create shooting situations for himself. The fact that he is able to shoot with either foot from different angles makes him unpredictable, and that is complemented by his talent in opening up shooting angles by taking small touches of the ball.

In this example, from the 3-2 victory against Luton Town in December 2023, Madueke is in a one-versus-two situation with Malo Gusto’s late run providing support.

Alfie Doughty’s position prevents Madueke from setting up a left-footed shot, but Gusto’s run grabs the attention of Amari’i Bell, and the right winger capitalises.

Madueke brings the ball onto his right foot…

… and strikes it from a narrow angle, with Bell trying to close the space between himself and Doughty.

The fact that Madueke can dribble in both directions and shoot with either foot affects the defender’s body shape, giving the winger a fraction-of-a-second advantage if he takes the correct touch.

Here, in the same match against Forest, Alex Moreno is in a neutral body shape to be able to defend both directions…

… but Madueke realises the space is inside and dribbles towards that area as Forest’s left-back adjusts his shape.

The weight of Madueke’s second touch creates enough separation from Moreno, and opens up the shooting angle, allowing Chelsea’s right winger to score the equaliser.

Last season, Madueke got into better shooting situations compared with his first full season in the Premier League, scoring seven goals to help Chelsea finish in fourth place.

The winger’s 0.42 non-penalty expected goals (xG) per 90 was more than double his rate in 2023-24, while the average quality of his shots also improved.

The defensive aspect of the game is something Madueke has been working on in recent seasons. “I feel like a lot of my improvement is coming and needs to come on the defensive side,” he told Chelsea’s official channels last year.

“I feel like I am strong on the offensive side of the game. I just (need to) keep chipping away at those weaknesses and try and make them strengths.”

Throughout 2024-25, Madueke’s hard work helped Chelsea when they didn’t have the ball, especially in the pressing phase.

The right winger has a strong understanding of how to curve his runs to block passing lanes and knows the right moment to pounce on the defender.

In this example, from the 1-0 victory against Everton in April, Madueke is defending the left side as Nicolas Jackson presses Jake O’Brien.

Initially, Madueke’s closed body shape indicates that he is anticipating a pass towards Everton’s right-back, Nathan Patterson…

… but when he feels that O’Brien may play the ball through the lines, he slightly opens his body to be ready for that pass.

Everton’s right centre-back plays the ball to Patterson and Madueke moves in his direction…

… but once the right-back takes a heavy touch that forces him inside the pitch, Chelsea’s left winger arcs his run to block the in-field passing lane because that is the only available option.

Under pressure, Patterson dribbles backwards and Madueke harries him, eventually winning possession.

Arsenal’s interest in Madueke makes sense considering how Arteta’s team likes to attack and the importance of their out-of-possession phases. Madueke’s directness and ability to create shooting situations are skills that suit Arsenal, while his finishing and improved crossing are areas that can be developed.

Out of possession, his explosiveness and understanding of pressing roles fit Arsenal’s strengths and may explain part of his appeal.

Having Madueke alongside Saka, Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri would bolster Arsenal’s options in the wide areas, and prevent the forward line from being stretched, either because of injuries or sheer physical load.

[Vesper 30,127]

Jamie Gittens to Chelsea: Transfers TLDR

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6461153/2025/07/07/jamie-gittens-to-Chelsea-transfers-tldr/

Chelsea confirmed the signing of Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund for a fee of £48.5million with a potential £3.5m in add-ons over the weekend.

The 20-year-old has signed a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

As part of this summer’s transfer coverage on The Athletic, in addition to breaking news, tactical analysis and in-depth reads, our Transfers TLDR series (you can read them all here) will bring you a quick guide to each of the key deals.

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Give me their backstory in 100 words…  

A former member of Manchester City’s academy, Gittens moved to Dortmund in 2020 in the midst of the pandemic. He made his debut the next season, but a succession of untimely injuries stymied his progress, meaning he was unable to establish himself until the 2023-24 season.

Initially, that was as a difference-making substitute under Edin Terzic, who used him to break games open and target isolated full-backs, but Gittens became much more of a focal point in the first half of Dortmund’s campaign last season, providing nearly all the thrust down the left side before fatigue and Nuri Sahin’s departure as coach slowed his progress.

Seb Stafford-Bloor

 

Gittens with Sahin in August 2024 (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

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What should and shouldn’t I expect to see?

Perhaps a slow start? Gittens’ game is built on speed and skill, but also confidence, and he was short of that towards the end of his time at Dortmund. Niko Kovac changed the team’s formation, moving away from using wingers, meaning Gittens’ minutes on the pitch tended to occur in unfamiliar roles. 

It showed, too, in tentative displays and a lack of rhythm.

But, when fully confident, he is a counter-attacking threat, but also capable of disrupting a low-block through the speed of his footwork and capacity to get shots off under pressure. He’s good in space, but he doesn’t necessarily need it to be effective. 

Defending? A work in progress. He does not contribute a lot without the ball and that’s an area that will have to improve. It will come with more experience, though.  

Seb Stafford-Bloor

What You Should Read Next

Jamie Gittens will fill a left-wing gap for Chelsea and is one of Europe’s most direct dribblers

Analysis of what the England Under-21 international will bring to Stamford Bridge

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How will they fit tactically?  

Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto are currently Chelsea’s only reliable wingers. Jadon Sancho has departed, Mykhailo Mudryk is still suspended, and Geovany Quenda is only 17.

In that context, Gittens is a necessary addition. The 20-year-old is a front-footed winger who enjoys one-on-one duels. His 9.3 take-ons per 90 was the highest among wide players in the Bundesliga last season. A success rate of 45 per cent at such a high volume is testament to his dribbling ability.

Gittens’ acceleration and trickery, along with his comfort with the ball at either foot, make him a difficult assignment. He is a threat in transition, but fitting into Enzo Maresca’s more measured style and Chelsea’s pressing scheme will take time.

Gittens’ eight Bundesliga goals last season hinted that his final product is improving, too.

Anantaajith Raghuraman

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What’s their injury record? 

In his teenage years, injuries were a significant issue for Gittens. Torn ankle ligaments kept him sidelined for around four months in the late summer and autumn of 2021 before persistent shoulder issues kept him out for four different spells, two of which were lengthy, in 2022 and 2023.

Since then, he has not missed any football due to injuries, sitting out just a few days of training last season due to a minor knock.

Steve Madeley

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Someone who knows him says… 

“His development is great,” Lars Ricken, Dortmund’s chief executive for sport, told The Athletic in October 2024.

“When we signed him, it was really a cooperation between our scouting, professional and youth departments. He perhaps wasn’t on the level of someone like Jadon Sancho, but we said, ‘OK, we can develop him into a great player’.

 

“I think he made his debut under Marco Rose (in April 2022), but since then it’s been great development.”

Steve Madeley

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What do we know about the finances of the deal? 

Gittens has joined Chelsea on a seven-year deal, signing up for life at Stamford Bridge until June 2032.

Chelsea have paid Borussia Dortmund an initial £48.5m for Gittens, who leaves Germany five years after joining Dortmund from Manchester City’s youth setup. A further £3.5m could be due in future add-ons.

Chris Weatherspoon

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What impact will this have on both clubs’ PSR calculation?

Assuming agent fees of 10 per cent on the transfer plus associated levies, Gittens’ signing will add £11.1m in amortisation costs to Chelsea’s annual expenses, at least in terms of profit and sustainability calculations, up to the end of the 2029-30 season.

While Gittens has signed a seven-year deal with his new side, both Premier League and UEFA regulations dictate clubs can only amortise transfer fees over a maximum of five years.

There’ll therefore be a disconnect between Gittens’ annual cost in Chelsea’s PSR calculation against their publicly disclosed accounts. In the latter, Gittens’ fee will be amortised at a rate of £7.9m annually over seven years – £3.2m less than the annual PSR cost.

Gittens’ wage is unknown, but with a seven-year contract inked, it’s clear the total cost to Chelsea of buying and keeping him will stretch some way beyond the estimated £55.3m in initial fees spent.

For Dortmund, acquiring Gittens at a young age from City’s academy means they’re able to bank just about all of the £48.5m fee as profit in 2025-26. Owing to his age when he departed City, no sell-on clause was possible in respect of Gittens either, so Dortmund retain all of the fee, with one small exception.

Gittens completing an international transfer means five per cent of the fee paid by Chelsea, or £2.4m, is distributed as a solidarity payment to those clubs with a hand in his development up to the age of 23. The catch here is Gittens is still only 20, so Dortmund also retain a majority of that sum.

The Athletic estimates Gittens’ youth spells at Reading and Manchester City entitle the pair to around £0.4m each. Dortmund, by extension, will bank just shy of £48m profit on the sale.

Chris Weatherspoon

[mkh 576]

Villareal has contacted Axel Disasi, and negotiations are ongoing. Newcastle, other PL, and Italian clubs are keeping an eye on him and monitoring him.

Chelsea will ask for around £25 million, and the players is expected to leave.

(@FabriceHawkins)

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

If the Times report is correct and we indeed need to balance the books before being able to register new players for uefa competitions, it is no wonder we are being fleeced for every transfer. Once again zero thinking ahead by the board. 
Anyway at least this hectic of thinking about new incomings can stop until those 60m+ are raised which should be easy enough 

Still this uefa punishment is super random. Can’t even register players that were injured but already at the club last season. 

[mkh 576]

AC Milan 🇮🇹 have unveiled a €15M bid for Guela Doué from Racing Strassbourg!!! 

The offer will be turned down in Racing, Max Allegri highly values the Ivorian. 🇨🇮

(@lequipe)

No word for AC Mailand 😶😶😶😶

[Mário César 1,249]

so, felix, noni and disasi close to leaving

felix 30M euros + Noni 50M euros + Disasi 30M euros

I think we can get 110M for all of this three players

[Marvin123 530]

https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1942311322131038592?t=hn_3VdhO896fe1MyTDdUdA&s=19

[mkh 576]

What a sum for Elanga.😵
And Arsenal only want to pay us 35M-40M pounds for Madueke.
But Chelsea want 50M Pounds

Edited July 7 by mkh

[Special Juan 28,134]

Not having Elanga one bit for 50M, baffles me