Table of Contents
Meet at Stamford Bridge Sunday
Rating Chelsea & Man United’s 10 most expensive signings this decade out of 10
©TM/IMAGO
Whilst the title race is still very much alive and the relegation dogfight continues to tussle, the battle for the Champions League places is also heating up ahead of the Premier League run-in. Saturday’s evening fixture in West London could go someway to decide just who makes it into the top five and therefore secures Champions League football. Sixth-placed Chelsea host third-placed Manchester United. If the Blues win they will go just four points behind the Red Devils. Lose and it’s an uphill task.
As illustrated in the graphic above, Chelsea and Man United both rank in the top three worldwide among clubs to have spent the most money on transfers this decade. Man Utd are third, having spent €1.25 billion since January 1, 2020. Meanwhile, Chelsea are first having spent an eye-watering €2.08 billion on players in the last six years. In that period, there has only been one occasion of either team finishing in the top two of the Premier League – Man United in the 2020/21 season. The pair have spent mind-boggling sums without the success to go with it.
Club Comparison
Chelsea FC
Manchester United
Premier League
Premier League
€1.16bn
Market Value
€747.15m
First Tier
League Level
First Tier
€339.15m
Expenditures 25/26
€246.70m
Liam Rosenior
Managers
Michael Carrick
Full Club Comparison
With all this in mind, ahead of their meeting at Stamford Bridge, I have rated each of both Chelsea and Man United's 10 most expensive signings in that period out of 10. The rating is based on the player's value for money, their sell-on value and their overall success at the club. Of course, with some of the newer signings it's harder to say, and they will need more time. We will begin with Saturday's hosts, Chelsea.
Rating Chelsea's 10 most expensive signings
Enzo Fernández – €121m from Benfica – 5/10
Stats
E. Fernández
Central Midfield
Chelsea FC
161
28
29
Had the fee not been a Premier League-record (at the time), Fernández's rating would probably be higher. He has emerged into one of the top midfielders in the division, but has had attitude issues and hasn't warranted his fee. His current market value is €85m, and the Blues are likely to recoup a fair chunk of what they paid if he leaves this summer.
Moisés Caicedo – €116m from Brighton – 7/10
Stats
M. Caicedo
Defensive Midfield
Chelsea FC
140
8
11
Another astronomical fee, but slightly less than Fernández and more justified. Caicedo is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world and is invaluable to Chelsea. He has a current market value of €110m, and after taking some time to adapt after his move from Brighton, the Ecuadorian has now shown everyone why he was so sought after. Still a little erratic at times though.
Romelu Lukaku – €113m from Inter – 1/10
Stats
R. Lukaku
Centre-Forward
Chelsea FC
59
15
3
This signing couldn't have gone much worse. To pay €113m for a player who was already previously yours is a bad start, before Lukaku had even kicked a ball. The Belgian needed to hit the ground running to justify it. He never did, and was eventually sold to Napoli in 2024 for €30.7m. A disastrous move.
Kai Havertz – €100m from Leverkusen – 6/10
Stats
K. Havertz
Centre-Forward
Chelsea FC
139
32
16
Havertz gets a decent rating because he will always be etched in Chelsea folklore due to scoring the winning goal for them in a Champions League final. However, he failed to ever truly find his feet at the Bridge, and was sold to London rivals Arsenal for €75m – three quarters of the €100m Chelsea paid, which in fairness is not a bad recoup of funds.
Wesley Fofana – €80m from Leicester – 4/10
Stats
W. Fofana
Centre-Back
Chelsea FC
66
2
2
Had it not been for consistent injuries, this score could be a lot higher, but Fofana has struggled to ever consistently stay fit since making his €80m move to Chelsea. When he has strung some games together, the performances have been solid, but it's not been often enough. His current market value is just €28m.
Mykhaylo Mudryk – €70m from Shakthar – 1/10
Stats
M. Mudryk
Left Winger
Chelsea FC
73
10
11
Another transfer that could not have fortuned much worse. Even before Mudryk was given a ban for alleged doping, his performances were not justifying the €70m fee, and he mostly found himself on the bench. After the verdict, his market value then has dropped to nothing. A calamity of a signing.
Marc Cucurella – €65m from Brighton – 7/10
Stats
M. Cucurella
Left-Back
Chelsea FC
155
9
12
Another one that was a bit of a slow burner, but Cucurella has now established himself as one of the best left-backs in the league, and gone a decent way to justify his pricetag. The Spaniard won Euro 2024 and has a current market value of €50m.
João Pedro – €64m from Brighton – 8/10
Stats
João Pedro
Centre-Forward
Chelsea FC
48
22
9
It's hard to put a fair rating on player's signed this season, but Pedro has looked an inspired signing so far. He already has a €75m market value – €11m more than the fee paid – and has 22 goal contributions in the Premier League this season. Among a lot of chaotic spending, a wise recruit from the Chelsea hierarchy.
Roméo Lavia – €62m from Southampton – 3/10
Stats
R. Lavia
Defensive Midfield
Chelsea FC
39
0
1
Like Fofana, If he had stayed fit, this rating would probably be a lot higher. In the sporadic games where he has played, Lavia has looked a class act, but injuries have completely hindered his time in West London, and due to that, he has a current market value of just €25m.
Christopher Nkunku – €60m from Leipzig – 3/10
Stats
C. Nkunku
Centre-Forward
Chelsea FC
62
18
5
More money badly invested, and once again injuries also played a part, but Nkunku's Chelsea career never really got going. The Frenchman managed just 18 goals for the Blues, and was sold for €37m to AC Milan last summer.
Rating Man United's 10 most expensive signings
Antony – €95m from Ajax – 2/10
Stats
Antony
Right Winger
Manchester United
96
12
5
On to Man United, and it's a bad start. Brazilian winger Antony arrived from Ajax for what even at the time, seemed an inflated price of €95m. That proved to be just the case, and after struggling to adapt to the Premier League, he was sold to Real Betis for just €22m last summer.
Jadon Sancho – €85m from Dortmund – 3/10
Stats
J. Sancho
Left Winger
Manchester United
83
12
6
Another big sum for a winger that did not pay dividends for the Red Devils. Sancho arrived at Old Trafford with plenty of excitement after his fantastic spell at Borussia Dortmund, but never asserted himself in a United shirt, and seemed to have numerous off-the-field attitude issues. He is currently on-loan at Aston Villa and has a market value of just €20m.
Rasmus Højlund – €78m from Atalanta – 4/10
Stats
R. Højlund
Centre-Forward
Manchester United
95
26
6
There was a lot of promise around Højlund, and his early displays showcased lots of potential. After a decent first campaign, last season's form dropped right off for the Dane. He is now at Napoli, and the Italian giants have an obligation to buy him for €44m this summer should they qualify for the Champions League, which they almost definitely will.
Benjamin Sesko – €77m from RB Leipzig – 6/10
Stats
B. Sesko
Centre-Forward
Manchester United
29
10
1
It's very difficult to rate Sesko so early on, especially given he has had injuries and been in and out of the team. There's no reason why this rating couldn't be a 9/10 in a few years – we have seen enough potential that he could explode. But so far, it's been a respectable first season and his market value is currently at €65m.
Bryan Mbeumo – €75m from Brentford – 7/10
Stats
B. Mbeumo
Right Winger
Manchester United
28
10
3
Another signing from this term, but one who was Premier League proven, and has shown it. Mbeumo has 12 goal contributions in the league and a current market value of €80m. United will be hoping he can continue to step up next season when they are back in Europe.
Matheus Cunha – €74m from Wolves – 6/10
Stats
M. Cunha
Centre-Forward
Manchester United
31
7
4
Similar to Mbeumo, Cunha was brought in having already done it in the Premier League. Injuries have somewhat hampered his debut campaign at Old Trafford, but we have seen enough of his dribbling and finishing skills to know that he could be a success at United. Cunha's market value currently stands at €70m.
Casemiro – €71m from Real Madrid – 5/10
Stats
Casemiro
Defensive Midfield
Manchester United
156
25
14
A difficult one to judge, because there is no doubt that Casemiro has been a great servant for Man United, but to spend €71m on a 30 year old is always going to have it's downsides. The Brazilian will leave on a free transfer in the summer. His performances have vastly improved this term, but last season he was a liability in midfield, and has had discipline issues.
Mason Mount – €68m from Chelsea – 3/10
Stats
M. Mount
Attacking Midfield
Manchester United
67
7
2
Mount's Man United move has never got going due to the Englishman's body repeatedly letting him down. There were signs earlier this season, that he was going to finally string a run of games together and have an impact, only for Mount to break down again. His current market value is just €30m.
Bruno Fernandes – €65m from Sporting – 9/10
Stats
B. Fernandes
Attacking Midfield
Manchester United
321
106
104
Now for the good side… and Fernandes is without doubt by far the biggest success story from either list. The only thing stopping the Portuguese midfielder from getting a 10 is the fact United haven't won the big trophies with him – due to the team he has been playing in. He has been a revelation for United in a very tough period in the club's history. The fee of €65m was a steal – even at 31 years of age, his market value remains at €40m, making him the world's most valuable player in his age group.
Leny Yoro – €62m from Lille – 4/10
Stats
Leny Yoro
Centre-Back
Manchester United
63
1
3
A tough one to come to a verdict on as he was bought with an eye on the future, but Yoro hasn't pulled up any trees in a United shirt as of yet. The potential is definitely there though, and this rating could go up in a few years time, if his development can enhance. The Frenchman has a current market value of €50m.
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