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Chelsea is the team (other than Manchester City) that capitalized on Manchester United's downfall from being Premier League dominants.
Credit for the same goes to their internal changes and massive signings. There is something peculiar about Chelsea and their summer transfer window prior to that season. Each time the Blues have added more firepower to their squad, it has yielded massive results.
Recalling Sturridge, Matić signing ahead of the 2009-10 season; Fabregas, Costa, Drogba before the title-winning 2014-15 season and lastly Kante, Marcos Alonso and David Luiz during the 2016-17 window. Enough to prove Chelsea's success during the transfer window to reflect on their season.
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However, even the seventh richest club in the world (currently) couldn't manage to do all this without filling their pockets first. And luckily, the EPL outfit never fell short on that.
Chelsea is one of the few clubs to have successfully off-loaded players. Which brings us to the topic of the day. Ranking the best 5 best sales in Chelsea history.
#5 Juan Mata | Chelsea to Manchester United (£37.1 million) | 2014
The versatile attacker from Burgos, Spain, broke Chelsea's club record transfer fee back in 2014. After falling out of Jose Mourinho's plans, Mata was deemed perfect for their domestic rivals — Manchester United.
Though fate united both at Old Trafford a few years later, Mata's switch to Manchester earned him more playing time under David Moyes and the managers who followed.
The fee earned from Man United was used by the Londoners to sign a bunch of budding talent from across Europe and fortify their bench. Kurt Zouma was a notable name amidst that.
#4 David Luiz | Chelsea to PSG (£50m) | 2014
The price tag of £50 million put by PSG for a defender sent waves across the transfer market. Chelsea couldn't deny a mouthwatering deal and had to let go of their centre-back who had played a total of 143 games for them.
Media went into a frenzy over the transfer, with many claiming the deal to be 'over-rated'. Nevertheless, the Brazilian proved his worth by winning back-to-back domestic trebles with his new club in his first two seasons.
In 2015, David Luiz scored a goal at Stamford that saw the London side find their exit in the Champions League round of 16. He earned lot of criticism after having celebrated in front of the away crowd, which was once, his home.
Despite the unfriendly gesture from both the ends, Luiz and the Chelsea loyals were happy to re-unite. Chelsea signed David Luiz back in 2016 for a fee reported around €35 million.
#2 Diego Costa | Chelsea to Atletico Madrid (£57 million) | 2017
Diego Costa's transfer had to involve quite a bit of drama, as is always expected with the player. Atletico Madrid's favorite son took a flight to London back in 2014. What was once lauded as one of the biggest arrivals in the EPL turned out to be a below-par one.
After three dragging seasons in England, Costa handed in a transfer request and expressed his desire to join his former side. While Diego Simeone was waiting for his former striker with open arms, the latter had to push himself out of Chelsea, who had placed a hefty amount over him.
Costa was presented back at Wanda Metropolitano in January 2018 after having to face a transfer ban that was imposed on Atletico. Despite being one of Chelsea's worst signings, the Costa move was a hit for the Londoners commercially.
#3 Oscar | Chelsea to Shanghai Port (£60 million) | 2017
Oscar's transfer came as a shocker to everyone in the world of football. The infamous transfer that took place in 2017 saw Oscar, who was at the pinnacle of his career, leave the biggest platform for a smaller league.
Even though Chelsea ended up with swollen pockets after Oscar's departure, the Brazilian was subject to harsh criticism and was called out as someone who chose money over quality.
At the prime age of 25, Oscar became one of the highest-paid footballers on the planet. This is what he said after completing the signing.
China has incredible financial power and sometimes makes offers that players can’t refuse.
Oscar was a regular during the Mourinho era and the former Stamford Bridge player was offered huge fees from some of the big names across Europe's top five leagues.
#1 Eden Hazard | Chelsea to Real Madrid (£89 million) | 2019
It is no surprise that Chelsea earned the most while letting go of their favorite kid. The Belgian, who rose to fame in the blue jersey, completed the impending move to Madrid by breaking the club's record and a lot of hearts.
Despite being one of the finest players in the Premier League, the Belgian captain couldn't carry forward his form in the Spanish capital. Hazard's constant run-in with injuries and fitness issues raised many questions amidst the Madridistas.
However, the team and the coaching staff maintained their trust in the former Chelsea wonderkid. Eden still remains one of the main players within the ranks of Real Madrid.
