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Article continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="footballco-bet-betsense">{"type":"footballco-bet-betsense","data":{}}</script>Article continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_d6e1e5da-7d9a-43d5-97e1-f4350a3cd7e3"}}</script><ul><li>Chelsea continued their splurge in this summer</li><li>Made several changes to their squad under Maresca</li><li>Cole surprised by Sterling's exit from Chelsea </li></ul>

Man Utd legend claims Enzo Maresca 'shot himself in the foot' by axing £50m winger

Chelsea's <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/manchester-city-won-transfer-window-goal-grades-europes-biggest-clubs-summer-2024-business/blt76d6652d71501e45#csdf9a48bb2ea3c3dc" target="_blank">recruitment policy has often come under criticism,</a> and Todd Bohely and Co. continued to splash the cash this summer. It's no surprise that the Blues' squad has been ranked as the most expensive squad in world football history by the CIES Football Observatory as the Clearlake group has spent around €1.28 billion (£1.08b/$1.11b) to assemble their roster.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Chelsea made a few surprising calls as they signed several wingers, including Pedro Neto, Jadon Sancho, and Joao Felix while the squad continued to clamour for a reliable No.9. They did go in for <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/victor-osimhen-galatasaray-chelsea-napoli-transfer-loan/blt0f19f062e6bae842" target="_blank">Victor Osimhen but left it too late</a> and eventually did not have time to persuade the Nigerian to make the switch to Stamford Bridge.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

In an interview with <a href="https://insights.betfred.com/newsroom/andy-cole-theres-no-reason-for-doom-and-gloom-at-manchester-united/" target="_blank">Betfred,</a> when Cole was asked which Premier League club’s transfer business impressed him most this summer, he hit out at Chelsea and said: "I’m not even going to say Chelsea because they haven't signed anyone. They’ve signed any player with a pulse. Ipswich have bought some players from the Championship that do also have that top-level experience and they’ll know that they’ve got a good set of players that would be capable of bringing them straight back up if they weren’t able to survive in the Premier League this season. They’ve had a decent window. "I’m surprised Liverpool didn’t do more but if you look at their performance against Manchester United and the two games they’ve played previously, they look good. Manchester City hardly did any business, so I don’t believe any team’s dealings this summer as a collective have been particularly eye-catching or outstanding, but it does seem that most clubs were very happy with the business that they did.”

WHAT ANDY COLE SAID

Cole rated Raheem <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/raheem-sterling-arsenal-perfect-fit-forward-claims-surprising-gunners-shirt-number-chelsea-exit/bltdc7b82823bb11110" target="_blank">Sterling's transfer to Arsenal</a> as the best bit of business in the window and slammed Maresca for letting the English winger leave for a direct rival."I really do believe that’s good business and like everybody else, I’m astounded that Enzo Maresca came out and said that Raheem wasn’t going to get any minutes under him," he said. "It was like Enzo was shooting himself in the foot by saying that. It’s not like his position is solidified because if they go on a bad run, he’ll be out the door as well. Arsenal have done good business by getting Raheem in.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Chelsea have had another busy transfer window and now Maresca will be charged with finding success with all the talent at his disposal. The start has been far from ideal as they are languishing in 11th spot in the standings after three matchdays but the manager will be hoping to turn things around when they face Bournemouth after the international break on September 14.

WHAT NEXT?

Man Utd legend claims Enzo Maresca 'shot himself in the foot' by axing £50m winger | Goal.com US

Manchester United legend Andy Cole believes Chelsea &quot;signed any player with a pulse&quot; and slammed Enzo Maresca for axing Raheem Sterling.