Chelsea starlet leaves Stamford Bridge one year after arrival

In their effort to offload a significant number of surplus players and balance their financial books, Chelsea appears to have finally reached their desired target. One of their high-profile signings from Brazil last season, which initially garnered much attention from fans and pundits alike, has now left the club and moved to Saudi Arabia to start a new chapter in his career.

It’s worth noting that Chelsea has already offloaded several other notable players, including Raheem Sterling, who joined Arsenal on a season-long loan, and Conor Gallagher, who made a permanent switch to Atletico Madrid. These moves reflect the club’s intent to streamline their squad and focus on players who fit into Enzo Maresca’s plans for the future.

Angelo Gabriel joins Al-Nassr on a permanent transfer from Chelsea

Brazilian striker Angelo Gabriel has completed his transfer from Chelsea to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr on a permanent deal. According to Fabrizio Romano via X, the medicals are already completed, and the documentation is in the final stages of review.

The Saudi giants have reportedly met Chelsea’s asking price of €23 million, with the deal also including a sell-on clause for the North London club. Angelo Gabriel will now join forces with football legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mané in the Saudi Pro League.

The 19-year-old initially joined Chelsea in 2023 for a fee of €15 million from Brazilian club Santos. Last season, he was loaned to Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg in France’s top tier, where he made 24 appearances and provided four assists, though he was unable to find the back of the net.

Gabriel’s departure is unlikely to impact Chelsea’s immediate prospects, as the Brazilian never featured in a competitive game for the Premier League club and was already out of their plans. The club was eager to settle his transfer to raise much-needed funds, which they have now successfully done.

In contrast, Enzo Maresca has bolstered Chelsea’s attacking options by bringing in Jadon Sancho on a loan deal from Manchester United, leaving no room for the former Santos star in the squad. This move further solidifies the club’s focus on players who can contribute immediately to their objectives this season.

As for the ongoing football season, Chelsea currently sits 11th in the Premier League standings, with four points from their first three games—one win, one loss, and one draw. After the international break, they will face Bournemouth on September 15, aiming to climb the table and find consistency in their performances.