Chelsea missed out on signing a £60m star as Pochettino settled for Angelo.

Chelsea’s recruitment strategy has undergone a transformation in recent years under Todd Boehly, with a renewed focus on acquiring young talents who can make a significant impact on the first team in the future.

The Blues have been proactive in signing promising players from various regions worldwide, investing substantial sums of money in individuals who have demonstrated glimpses of their potential.

One of their recent acquisitions is 17-year-old talent Kendry Paez from Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle, purchased for approximately £17.3m.

Chelsea made this investment in Paez when he was just 16 years old, with his official arrival at the club set for May 2025 when he turns 18, potentially providing an immediate boost to the first team.

However, Paez is not the only young player to join Chelsea under Boehly’s stewardship, as the club also spent a significant amount on another promising prospect.

Angelo’s move to join Chelsea

Brazilian winger Angelo completed a £13m transfer to Chelsea in the summer of 2023, adding to the roster of youth prospects making their way to West London.

Angelo spent the previous season on loan at French club Strasbourg, also under Boehly’s ownership, making 25 appearances across all competitions.

Although Angelo did not score a goal, he contributed three assists as Strasbourg secured a 13th-place finish in Ligue 1 during the 2023/24 campaign.

His solid performances earned him a spot in Chelsea’s tour of the United States, featuring in three out of four matches and aiming to earn a place in the first team under new manager Enzo Maresca.

Despite his promising cameos, Angelo was eventually sold during the recent transfer window, moving to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr for around £19m, resulting in a £6m profit for Chelsea.

Although the sale of Angelo proved financially beneficial for Chelsea, it may have hindered their pursuit of a standout talent who has been excelling in European football recently.

The man who Chelsea missed out on by signing Angelo

Winger Nico Williams has emerged as one of the top talents in European football, impressing for both club and country in 2024.

Williams has contributed 25 goals in his last 43 appearances for Athletic Bilbao, earning him a spot in the Spanish national team for Euro 2024.

During the tournament, Williams played a crucial role for Spain, scoring in the final and helping his country secure their fourth European Championships title by defeating England.

Williams’ stellar performances have significantly increased his market value, now standing at £60m according to Transfermarkt.

However, Chelsea could have secured his services, with former manager Mauricio Pochettino expressing interest in signing Williams in the summer of 2023, as reported by journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Despite pursuing other options that included Angelo, Chelsea missed out on the opportunity to sign the 22-year-old winger.

Williams’ exceptional form serves as a reminder of the opportunity Chelsea let slip away, with his dynamic playing style undoubtedly enhancing their attacking options.

However, after failing to secure a move to Stamford Bridge, Williams remains the one that got away for Chelsea.

One that got away

The transfers that nearly happened but never did. This article is part of Football FanCast’s One That Got Away series.

For more intriguing news and articles like these, make sure to check out DeFi Daily News.