Image from: Chelsea Website
Chelsea have had a very busy transfer window, with big name signings along with significant departures. The club has gone through significant changes ahead of the new season, and this article will explain everything that needs to be known before the season starts in September.
Incomings:
One of Chelsea’s most notable signings this transfer window is Katie McCabe. McCabe officially joined The Blues in July on a free transfer after her contract with Arsenal expired. The left-back is signed until 2029 with an option for an additional year, and looks to make an instant impact for Chelsea. With 305 appearances for Arsenal, McCabe brings a wealth of WSL experience and leadership skills to the team, as well as an extra attacking threat due to her ability to play higher up the pitch and in midfield.
Another key signing for Chelsea is Manaka Matsukubo from North Carolina Courage. The midfielder is signed on a five year deal, and is considered as one of the most talented young players in women’s football. She was named NWSL Midfielder of the Year last season, and also became the youngest player in NWSL history to score a hattrick when she scored three goals against Bay FC in October. With her precise passing and skilful dribbling, Matsukubo is a dangerous threat, especially as she can play as an attacking midfielder or a central striker.
Another attacking signing is Melvine Malard who Chelsea signed on a four-year contract from Manchester United. She’s one of the most dangerous forwards in the WSL, with 21 goal contributions in only 57 appearances during her time at Manchester United. As well as WSL experience, she also brings Champions League experience to The Blues, and has scored 17 goals in 46 UWCL appearances, something crucial if Chelsea want to win the competition for the first time.
Chelsea have also signed some young players over the transfer window, starting with Nelly Las. Las was signed from Leicester City on a four year contract, and is an attacking full-back who can play on either side. The youngster is an England Under-20 international and made her senior debut for Leicester City in 2024 at the age of 16. Due to her age, this signing is smart squad building from Chelsea as she holds a lot of potential.
The final signing is Giulia Dragoni who The Blues signed from Barcelona. Dragoni has a four year contract with Chelsea, and is a young and technically gifted midfielder. One of her strengths is winning one v one situations, as well as contributing goals and assists. Similar to Las, Dragoni has a lot of room to develop and potentially become an important part of the Chelsea squad, especially considering she was named Serie A’s Midfielder of the Season in the 2025/26 season, when she was on loan at Roma.
Outgoings:
Even though Chelsea have made some big signings this window, they’ve also lost a lot of significant players. One of their biggest losses was Millie Bright. Chelsea’s captain retired at the end of last season as their longest serving player, following 12 years at the club. This departure will have a huge impact on the club, not just because of the loss of her playing skills, but also the loss of her leadership. Despite having other defenders and central defenders to fill her position, it will be hard to find a Chelsea player that could fill the hole of Millie Bright’s presence. Due to their summer signings, this year and previous, this departure could impact squad mentality and morale more than the squad depth.
Another significant departure is the club’s top scorer, Sam Kerr. The Australian striker left Chelsea upon the expiration of her contract to join Gotham FC in the NWSL, where some former Chelsea players also play. With 116 goals during her time at Chelsea, with 65 of those in the WSL, her skills will be greatly missed at Chelsea. The club have brought in Malard to help fill the gap, along with Beever-Jones and Ramirez who have been at the club for a few seasons now, however none offer a direct replacement for Kerr’s goalscoring record.
Chelsea have also lost Guro Reiten to Gotham FC, who left in March to pursue a new challenge in her career. Having spent six and a half seasons with Chelsea, Reiten made her mark on the club, and her skills will be missed at Chelsea due to her versatility and chance creation. This departure will have a big impact on the club due to losing not just a very skilled player, but also a big personality in the locker room.
Another winger that the club have lost is Johanna Rytting-Kaneryd. The Swede left Chelsea for a permanent transfer to Lyon after 4 seasons at The Blues. She made 139 appearances and has left her mark on the eight-time WSL champions, and Chelsea will miss her ability to stretch defences with her pace and one v one ability.
In defence, Niamh Charles has also left the club after 178 appearances to join reigning WSL champions, Manchester City on a permanent transfer for three years. This departure will be covered by the arrival of McCabe, although she isn’t necessarily a like-for-like replacement, so while the loss of such an experienced player will have a big impact on the club, it’s manageable.
Other departures that are worth noting are Julia Bartel, Lois Shooter and Brooke Aspin. Bartel has left Chelsea to join Juventus on a permanent transfer, after joining Chelsea in 2024. She was never able to establish herself as a regular first team player, so won’t drastically affect Chelsea’s starting eleven, but it does mean the club has lost a young midfielder with high potential. Shooter, who is signed to Chelsea until 2028, has joined Nottingham Forest on a season long loan to allow her to develop her skills and gain more game time. This transfer is a positive one for the club and player as it will allow Shooter to develop further as a player and play more games. Aspin has joined Bristol City on a permanent transfer and never made a senior appearance during her time at Chelsea. She represented England at the Under-19 Euros, but suffered an ACL injury while with the England Under-23s in November 2024. She’s previously spent a loan spell at Bristol City, and will now stay there permanently after impressing. The loss of these three players is manageable, with a lower impact on the club than other departures, but the club is losing some young players with potential.
Overall judgement of the window:
Chelsea have had some impressive recruitment, with some big names joining the squad, however they’ve also had a lot of departures that will be hard to replace. Their signings have a mixture of experience and skill which have refreshed the squad, but the new signings haven’t completely replaced the creativity and leadership that’s been lost. Overall, this transfer window has been successful, but with reservations.
What else the club may need:
Due to the loss of Kerr, Chelsea could do with signing another world class striker that can directly fill the hole she’s left. As well as this, the club may need to sign another winger following the departure of two experienced and talented wingers in Kaneryd and Reiten. Finally, the squad needs a player or two to step up and replace the leadership that was lost when Bright retired.