“He is much worse than Gittens but he has played more games than Gittens. Sometimes I don’t know what’s going on in Maresca’s head. If he continues to see playing time, he’ll only get worse” – This is according to John Terry as he claims that the transfer for Chelsea has proven to be a greater disappointment than the signing of Gittens, widely regarded as a “disastrous” acquisition.
Chelsea's aggressive investment in the transfer market, while a high-risk approach in recent years, is beginning to show positive returns in the 2025/26 season.
Since the club’s change in ownership, approximately £1.5 billion has been spent on new players, reflecting a strategy focused on both immediate and long-term squad development.
This policy has brought varied results, including a UEFA Conference League title last season, but not every signing has proven successful.
One of the more recent acquisitions, winger Jamie Gittens, has encountered early difficulties following his £52 million move from Borussia Dortmund. Despite a promising record in Germany, he has managed only one goal and five assists in his first 20 appearances. His recent performance against Cardiff City, where he failed to complete a dribble and lost most of his duels, highlights the challenges of adapting to the Premier League’s demands.
However, Gittens’ struggles pale in comparison to the situation surrounding Mykhailo Mudryk, who has become a far more costly misstep. Signed for £88.5 million in January 2023, the Ukrainian international has failed to justify his price tag, contributing just 21 goals and assists across 73 appearances.
His difficulties have been compounded by a provisional suspension for a positive doping test in November 2024, during which he has continued to collect a reported £100,000-per-week salary. With his contract running until 2031 and his career at Stamford Bridge effectively over, Mudryk represents a significant financial loss for the club, with his total cost now exceeding £100 million when factoring in wages.
While Gittens has time to adapt and improve, Mudryk’s combination of poor form and off-field issues has made his signing a definitive failure, underscoring the inherent risks of Chelsea’s high-spending model.
