Chelsea nearly signed “one of the best in the world”

The 2022/23 season was monumental in Chelsea for many different reasons, the first full season of the club control property, management changes and many significant investments. However, the summer window in 2022 and the windows of January 2023 contrast massively in the approach.

The blues made a lot of big signatures during this first window, Spend around 250.6 million pounds sterling On eight new permanent signatures, the first three most expensive being already in the Premier League, seeking to have an instant impact on the side.

But heading towards the January window, with Chelsea Paul Winstanley supervising the transfer strategy alongside the board of directorsThe blues seemed to be pivoting in their approach, ranging from the most established stars to more emerging names.

Which went wrong for Chelsea in the January 2023 window

Change their strategy, the blues spent 329.50 million euros (274.4 million pounds sterling) Out of seven permanent signatures, all aged 22 and under. João Félix was the only player over 22 signed this month, but it was a six-month loan agreement.

Enzo Fernández, Mykhailo Mudryk, Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke, Malo Gusto, Andrey Santos and David Datro Fofana were all signed in the window. All these players fell into the upcoming stars category who could play a role now or turn into a part of the team in time.

But things could have been very different with a signature, because Mhykailo Mudryk joined Chelsea in the January 2023 window, and had trouble finding his best form since.

However, only six months ago, Chelsea wanted to sign another winger, who is now considered “One of the best in the world” by the legend of Brazil, Romario.

The one who fled

The transfers that almost occurred but have never done so. This article is part of the Football Football series Fancast’s One that Got Away.

When Chelsea missed one of the best wingers

Chelsea was interested in signing Raphinha in the summer of 2022, even reaching an agreement with Leeds United for costs of About 60 million pounds sterling more than 5 million pounds sterling.

However, the Brazilian chose to join Barcelona instead, declaring “My dream was to wear the Barcelona shirt“.

Since then, he has been sure to say that he has become an elite player, the one who is considerably better than Mudryk.

Raphinha now has a stellar season for Barcelona, ​​who really comes in hers under the new manager, Hansi Flick, who uses it to his best capacities.

The 28 -year -old has makes 35 appearances so far through 2024/25Standing 24 goals, providing 15 assists and totaling 2,848 minutes played.

When you compare the measures underlying to those of Mudryk this season, you can see the difference in their level, with the Brazilian sensation ranking higher in each metric analyzed outside of XAG (assisted objectives expected) and progressive ranges, And this is also in consideration most of Mudryk’s minutes have been in the UEFA conference league against weaker opponents.

Although there is every chance that Mudryk could have become one of the best with its raw talents and sporting qualities, Raphinha has proven itself at the highest level now, and things for Chelsea could have been much more pink If they had signed the winger in 2022.

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