Chelsea Completes Samuels-Smith Transfer Strasbourg Amid £160m Summer Sales

Chelsea have confirmed the permanent transfer of 19-year-old defender Ishe Samuels-Smith to Ligue 1 club RC Strasbourg, marking the club's eighth major summer exit and contributing to a total transfer income exceeding £160 million. Samuels-Smith, who was signed from Everton in 2023, featured for Chelsea's Under-18 and Under-21 squads, winning the Under-18 Premier League South title in 2024 and helping the Under-21s reach the Premier League 2 play-offs twice, but never made a senior appearance despite being included in matchday squads seven times. The transfer fee is reported to be around €7.5 million plus bonuses, more than the €4.5 million Chelsea originally paid for him. Strasbourg is a sister club to Chelsea, and Samuels-Smith is the third player to move there from Chelsea this summer, with a five-year deal expected. Chelsea are simultaneously pursuing new signings like Xavi Simons and Jorrel Hato as part of their squad reshaping efforts under coach Enzo Maresca. This transfer highlights Chelsea's ongoing strategy of player development, sales, and collaboration with sister clubs to manage their roster and finances.