Chelsea seemed to have everything wrapped up nice and early in this summer’s window before bursting back into life on Deadline Day and splashing over £50m on two further additions.
Deals for both Michy Batshuayi and Leicester’s N’Golo Kante were completed early on and in a swift fashion, meaning that manager Antonio Conte could then turn his attention to bolstering his defensive ranks.
The search for added steel at the back did not go as well as the Italian manager’s earlier dealings, which left the Blues in a Deadline Day scrap to land former Bolton and Sunderland man Marcos Alonso as well as making a shock last minute swoop to bring Brazilian international, David Luiz back to Stamford Bridge.
The business from the South West London outfit has divided opinion within the media, with Times journalist, Henry Winter, going as far as saying the Blues had landed the signing of the summer.
Imagine there'll be a few groans in the Chelsea dressing room at the return of David Luiz: a defender with open borders.
— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) September 1, 2016
Some very good signings in the window (you’d hope so for £1bn & rising) but few better than N’Golo Kante. So intelligent & effective. #cfc
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) August 31, 2016
Despite the gaps in Luiz’s game, Chelsea fans cannot hide their adoration for their returning hero:
I'm not a fan of David Luiz's defending but I can't lie that I have a little smile to see Sideshow Bob is back in blue #CFC
— Dalton (@DaltonGNOLA) September 1, 2016
One even thinks that the Brazilian’s big hair is what can lead them back to glory:
I'm actually so happy David Luiz is back at Chelsea, it's his hair that will lead us to a title this year #CFC
— Jacob. (@JacobTheIntern) September 1, 2016
The overall business done by Conte has left Blues supporters desperate so see their new squad in action:
Luiz & Alonso 1st game will like be against Leicester… Can't wait for Zouma too to recover…the squad is looking great with options #CFC
— FLEMZEEY CFC (@_flemzeey) September 1, 2016
https://twitter.com/cfc_wale/status/771350569659330560
Kante is the best signing of the transfer window. I like Batshuayi and Luiz. Hope Alonso turns out to be good. I can't complain really.
— ⭐⭐ (@SignEveryone) August 31, 2016
However, people were quick to question the logic at Stamford Bridge, as a peculiar pattern appeared:
Hired Jose
Sacked Jose
Signed Matic
Sold Matic
Signed Luiz
Hired Jose
Signed Matic
Sold Luiz
Sacked Jose
Signed LuizChelsea logic
— Sunday League FC (@SundayLeagueFC) August 31, 2016