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Chelsea have recently announced the signing of Romelu Lukaku for a whopping £103.5 million, bringing the Belgian back to Stamford Bridge for his second spell at the club. The Blues have had an excellent record in the transfer market over the years. According to The Sun, Chelsea have had a net spend of just £34.8 million in the 2021 summer transfer window.
The ongoing summer transfer window has arguably been one of the most exciting in recent memory, with the likes of Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos joining Ligue 1 giants PSG. Chelsea have not been too active in the transfer market in terms of recruitment, but still have over a week to add to their world-class roster.
The Blues have previously made many signings in the final week of the transfer window and even on the highly-entertaining transfer deadline day. On that note, here's a look at five last-minute transfers Chelsea have completed over the years.
#5 Papy Djilobodji
Chelsea were heavily linked with Raphael Varane and John Stones in the 2015 summer transfer window, but they ended up with Papy Djilobodji on the transfer deadline day - September 1st.
In retrospect, it's probably a transfer Chelsea would've rather passed on, as it was nothing more than a panic buy. The Blues did not have much depth in their defensive ranks, and their failure to secure a world-class centre-half forced the club into making a panic buy.
Djilobodji managed just one 59-second substitute appearance in Chelsea's third-round League Cup tie against Walsall.
In a press conference following Djilobodji's signing, Jose Mourinho admitted he had never heard of the Senegalese before the latter arrived in London. The Portuguese never gave Djilobodji much of an opportunity to make his name either, as he was shipped out on loan just six months after his arrival.
However, Chelsea managed to recoup the transfer fee for the now-32-year-old and even managed to make a profit off him. Djilobodji was sold to Sunderland for a €9.5 million fee in the summer of 2016. The Senegalese's transfer from Ligue 1 side Nantes had cost the Blues only €3.5 million.
#4 Claude Makelele
From one of Chelsea's worst deadline day signings, we move on to one of their best - Claude Makelele from Real Madrid on the final day of the 2003 summer transfer window.
The midfield metronome emerged as one of the finest holding midfielders of the Premier League era, and functioned as the engine room for the Premier League-winning Chelsea outfit. Makelele played an indispensable role in Jose Mourinho's Chelsea side that placed a huge emphasis on defensive solidity.
The Frenchman acted as the perfect shield for Chelsea's backline, as he stifled out opposition attacks time and time again during his five-year spell in London.
Makelele is one of the most successful players in Chelsea's history,and played a massive role in the club's evolution into a European powerhouse. He won two Premier League titles, two League Cups and the FA Cup, to name a few.
#3 David Luiz
Much like the signing of Djilobodji, Chelsea completed David Luiz's £34 million transfer from PSG on the 2016 transfer deadline day after failing to land their primary defensive targets.
However, Luiz enjoyed much more success than the Senegalese, as he played a pivotal role in Antonio Conte's three-man defence. The Brazilian was a regular fixture in Chelsea's backline during his second spell at Stamford Bridge.
Previously a Champions League winner at Chelsea, Luiz hit the ground running immediately in Conte's well-drilled setup, as the Blues conceded just 33 goals in the 2016-17 Premier League season. The Brazilian became a Premier League champion in his first season back in England.
Luiz was also a key player in Chelsea's FA Cup glory the next season. In his second spell at Chelsea, the Brazilian registered 105 appearances for the Blues. The 34-year-old made the move crosstown to the Emirates after three years at Chelsea, and is currently a free agent.
#2 Ashley Cole
Chelsea signed Ashley Cole on a £5 million transfer from derby rivals Arsenal in what turned out to be one of the greatest bargains in Premier League history.
The Blues, however, sent William Gallas the other way to Arsenal, but at 29, the Frenchman did not have many years left at his peak. Meanwhile, Cole was just 26, and was one of the best full-backs in the game at the time.
He fit the ideal description of a modern full-back, as his offensive output from the left-back role was second to none. Cole emerged as one of, if not the greatest, left-backs of the Premier League era during his eight-year spell at Chelsea.
The now-40-year old would go on to lift multiple trophies and accolades in the blue of Chelsea. That haul included a Premier League title, Champions League trophy, English League Cup and Europa League, to name a few. That makes Cole arguably one of Chelsea's best signings on a transfer deadline day.
#1 Fernando Torres
Chelsea completed the statement signing of Fernando Torres from arch-rivals Liverpool on a then-Premier League record €58.5 million transfer on the 2011 deadline day.
El Nino is undoubtedly one of the best strikers of the 21st century. and was an absolute joy to behold in his prime. On his day, Torres was arguably the best forward in modern football, and was one of the most complete no. 9s in the game.
The Spaniard came to London with a big reputation, finding the back of the net 81 times in 142 appearances for Liverpool.
However, Torres failed to recreate that kind of form during his four-year spell at Stamford Bridge. He notched up a tally of 45 goals and 35 assists in 172 appearances in his Chelsea career, which was far below what was expected from him.
Nevertheless, El Nino will always have his name etched in Chelsea's folklore. That's because his brilliant solo goal on the counter against Barcelona in the 2011-12 Champions League semi-final eventually paved the way for Chelsea to win their first title in the competition.
