Chelsea ‘regret’ Arsenal transfer amid ‘real surprise’ replacement decision

Joao Pedro was the most expensive acquisition at £60 million, but Chelsea also placed bids for Jamie Gittens, Jorrol Hato and Alejandro Garnacho.

Despite the spending, Chelsea almost balanced the books, generating more than £300m from player departures.

Noni Madueke was the most valuable outgoing transfer, although former Chelsea winger Nevin believes this is the only deal the club will ‘regret’.

There was surprise when Arsenal paid more than £50 million for Madueke, especially given his inconsistent performances at Stamford Bridge.

Madueke has scored just 13 goals in two and a half seasons in the Premier League, despite being part of the side that won the Conference League last season and secured qualification for the Champions League.

Yet many Arsenal supporters were unimpressed by his signing, with some even launching a petition to block the move.

These critics could soon be proven wrong as Madueke has made a strong start for the Emirates and helped Arsenal climb to the top of the Premier League.

The 23-year-old has also stood out during this season’s international breaks and is expected to be included in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for next summer’s World Cup.

Asked whether Chelsea might regret letting Madueke go, Nevin told Escapist Magazine: ‘It’s a good question because normally I would say no because Chelsea sell so many players that you forget where they went. But maybe this time.

“I have to say my eyebrows were raised when they let Noni Madueke go. And to bring in Garnacho… I’m not sure yet. Really not sure.

‘Between Garnacho, Gittens and Madueke, if I were to choose one of those three to play every week at the time I would choose Madueke. I wouldn’t doubt that for a second.

“Chelsea thinks about the value, the trading costs and all that stuff. And I understand that, because in some ways it has partially worked for them.

“I think at the end of this season a lot of people will look at how Madueke did, how Garnacho did and compare them. I think there might be a little bit of regret in there.”

Chelsea will hope that Garnacho and Gittens can step up to fill the gap left by Madueke’s departure.

However, Nevin was ‘really surprised’ by the decision to bring in Garnacho, especially given Chelsea’s existing depth in wide positions and his dip in form at Manchester United.

“Chelsea, it’s a real surprise,” he told Bet Ideas. ‘I was surprised by that.

“When I was first asked about it, when it came up, I thought maybe I got it. Then someone said £40 million and I didn’t. That’s a big, big decision considering the players already there.

‘Will Garnacho stand for Pedro Neto? Will he face Estevao Willian? Because Estevao could be a very special player. He won’t be facing Cole Palmer.

‘So there are a lot of players in those positions. We’ll see. It’s hard when you’re not playing all the time and you’re a creative player.

‘Jadon Sancho has found it at Chelsea. Madueke found it at Chelsea. It’s one of those intriguing, difficult ones.

‘But I will say one thing to Garnacho: if you are a wide player, you are skilled and you do well at Chelsea, the fans will like you. I remember that.’