Chelsea transfer plan: Wild spending spree or wise strategy?

Just twenty-two minutes into Chelsea's new Premier League campaign, the supporters at Stamford Bridge began chanting after their team fell behind 1-0 to Manchester City.

"Conor Gallagher," they cheered, focusing on him rather than the team, the new manager, or any of the players acquired for over £1.2 billion since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took over in May 2022.

Gallagher, a product of the academy, has a deep connection to Chelsea. The fans were aware he was on his way out, having spent the preceding days sidelined from the first team as part of a "bomb squad"—a term in British sports for players who are marginalized by their coaches.

In Chelsea's case, this group consisted of around 15 players, all training in limbo while waiting for news of their next move before the summer transfer window closed on August 30.