--- title: "Rating Chelsea’s summer signings" canonical: "https://readchelsea.com/2017/11/22/rating-chelseas-summer-signings/" type: "post" language: "en-GB" author: "Michael Oliver" section: "Chelsea Features & Analysis" published: "2017-11-22T14:24:25Z" modified: "2017-11-22T14:24:25Z" --- # Rating Chelsea’s summer signings Following the huge success that Antonio Conte pulled off last season, the summer wasn’t exactly the easiest of transfer windows for Chelsea. As with any title winning team, making new purchases to ensure further success whilst maintaining the balance of the team is tough, but a few curve-balls including the [questionable departure](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/chelsea-manchester-united-transfer-news-nemanja-matic-sack-phil-neville-sacking-antonio-conte-a8031081.html) of Nemanja Matic for Manchester United and the continued disappearance of key centre forward Diego Costa required Conte to force open Roman Abramovich’s cheque book to make sure they weren’t going to be blown away this season. We’ve profiled all of Chelsea’s key signings over the summer, including how successful they have been so far and what the future holds. Some of the new squad have impressed, however, the bookies clearly don’t think much of the transfer window as [Chelsea are 25/1 to win the Champions League](https://www.888sport.com/football/champions-league-betting.htm). **Tiemoue Bakayoko** The French defensive midfielder joined from Monaco early in the transfer window following Monaco’s [shock Champion’s League run](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/02/21/monaco-like-leicester-makes-dangerous-man-citys-champions-league/) last season, and his early impact has been very good. With a goal and a couple of assists in the Premier League and one of each in the Champion’s League, his £36 million transfer fee is looking like it might be value for money. If the same level of form continues, Bakayoko can be chalked up as a decent summer signing and hopefully a long-term replacement for the brilliant Matic. **Alvaro Morata** 7 goals and 3 assists in 10 Premier League games along with a goal in his first Champion’s League appearance for Chelsea can certainly be classed as a very solid debut for the former Real Madrid and Juventus star, but his success at Chelsea will be based solely on scoring as many goals as possible throughout the campaign. With fellow Spaniard Diego Costa ready to link up with Atletico Madrid in January, Morata has a big gap in the front line to fill. His £55.8 million transfer will only be justified if Chelsea manage to win a major competition. **Antonio Rüdiger** The German centre-back has certainly cemented his place in the Bundesliga, and his performance in the Prem haven’t been too bad either, even with plenty of [questions surrounding the need](https://www.theguardian.com/football/who-scored-blog/2017/jul/11/do-chelsea-really-need-new-34m-signing-antonio-rudiger) for another central defender at Stamford Bridge. Despite the big £31.5 million price tag, Rüdiger’s appearances have been error-free so far and he has gelled well with his teammates. It’s still early doors for this signing, but he is certainly not showing any signs of being a flop in his first dozen games in a blue shirt. **Danny Drinkwater** Joining a season after lifting the title with the Foxes, Drinkwater’s start with Chelsea has been practically non-existant thanks to [injury and lack of fitness](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4888110/Danny-Drinkwater-Chelsea-action-month.html), so it isn’t really fair to judge this signing yet. Based on his work rate with Leicester and England however, Drinkwater may just be the big presence alongside Bakayoko that is needed to counteract the wayward yet brilliant flashes from Cesc Fabregas and the gap left behind my Matic. **Davide Zappacosta** This signing was certainly a bit of a chin-stroker for many Chelsea fans, with many believing that a better investment could be made for [£22.5 million on transfer deadline day](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4843902/Who-Chelsea-new-25m-signing-Davide-Zappacosta.html). The 25 year old has had a couple of good seasons at Torino, but nothing really to write home about, so it’s possible that he’s been drafted in to act as a rotation player for busier parts of the season. Let’s hope we can chalk this down to the superb scouting staff at Stamford Bridge or belief from manager Conte that Zappacosta could become a key right back further down the line. Who do you think is Chelsea’s best signing so far? With the club currently in 3rd and not quite showing the dominance they did last season, Chelsea fans could be in for a tougher campaign with some first-teamers still finding their feet in a new league. Let’s see if Chelsea can manage to catch up with Manchester City, who are currently displaying all the traits of an out-and-out title winning side at this early stage of the season by sitting 10 points clear of everyone else.