Just like that, the winter transfer window is about to come to an end. For Chelsea, this has been another disappointing one and raised further questions regarding the sporting directors. For the entire month, there was talk of signing a centre-back. They were not able to do that.
Despite agreeing terms with Jeremy Jacquet, they could not agree on a deal with Rennes. Liverpool had no such problems, though, swooping in late and wrapping things up quickly.
Then there is the mess they created with Aaron Anselmino. He was doing well at Borussia Dortmund, but was then recalled. The team did not have any plans for him in the first-team though, and sent him to Strasbourg instead, while recalling Mamadou Sarr.
Now, Chelsea have made another questionable move, sanctioning the exit of a Cobham graduate, who had made one senior appearance so far.
Fabrizio Romano confirms English club have agreed to sign Chelsea player permanently
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Stoke City have agreed a deal to sign Ato Ampah from Chelsea on a permanent move. The transfer fee can be up to £3 million package with the Blues keeping a heavy sell-on clause.
Ampah had joined Chelsea at 11 years of age and signed his first professional contract with the club back in the summer of 2023. He made his professional debut as a second-half substitute in a UEFA Conference League game against Astana last season.
Now, he goes down as another Cobham graduate who has not made it at Stamford Bridge. And that should not come as any surprise considering the amount of youngsters that the Blues keep on signing from other clubs.
That makes it a lot more tougher for the likes of Ampah to make their mark at Chelsea, as the focus will naturally be on giving chances to those on whom a transfer investment has already been made.
Sayak Biswas