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Tom Coley

Four transfers Chelsea didn't complete as Enzo Fernandez deal clouds Hakim Ziyech failure

Chelsea's 2022/23 will be about what did happen and not what didn't. There's already so much to recount and list that trying to factor in things that haven't materialised is almost impossible.

In a brief look back there has been: £250million spent over the summer, a catastrophic pre-season, a Champions League-winning manager sacked, an untested top level coach appointed, a remarkable Champions League revival, terrible cup performances, runs of losses to rival the worst in Chelsea top flight history, a mid-season World Cup and finally the most remarkable January transfer window ever.

Seventeen players have been signed under the new owners for over £500million - and fans were told they wouldn't find another Roman Abramovich. January was as unpredictable as any transfer window on record and to fully digest it takes quite some time.

READ MORE: Enzo Fernandez first words on Chelsea transfer after completing £106m deadline day Benfica move

For some it won't quite have gone as planned though. Despite eight new players joining, and don't forget Christopher Nkunku still to come in the summer, there was still a backdrop of players who did not join to support the stellar cast of new Blues.

Here, football.london looks at the moves that weren't completed and those not holding up a new shirt.

Moises Caicedo

The highest profile move that did not come to pass. Chelsea's £55million bid in the middle of the window appeared to push Arsenal into action with the Gunners later making two offers of their own. Chelsea had sounded out Caicedo over the summer but made their feelings clear as Enzo Fernandez appeared to be dead in the water.

The Ecuadorian made his stance open too, posting a message on social media somewhere between a plea and a goodbye for to Brighton only for nothing to come to fruition. It wasn't quite Peter Odemwingie levels of deadline day drama but the 21-year-old failing to get a move away from the south coast is still memorable.

It may well be one that's revisited in the summer.

Hakim Ziyech

Poor Ziyech. After a World Cup to remember and arguably a run of some of his best form in a Chelsea shirt post-Qatar too, a move to Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day looked to be all but done. It suited all parties to and would have left a permanent summer move on the cards.

However there was late confusion. Chelsea were embroiled in talks to sign Fernandez as well as pushing through two EFL moves at the same time - more on that in a moment - leaving Ziyech stranded in Paris. PSG blame Chelsea and had an appeal turned down for the transfer whilst the Blues now have to deal with a frustrated player for the rest of the season.

Xavier Simons and Omari Hutchinson

Given everything that did happen these two will have gone under the radar. Hutchinson, who made his debut last month, looked set for a loan move to West Brom in search of first team football but a complex merry-go-round with Swansea, Karlan Grant and Marc Albrighton left a deal undone.

Simons, on the other hand, was attempting to make his loan move at Hull City permanent but couldn't get it done in time with too many plates spinning for Chelsea. When that many deals are being done and one is so much bigger than the rest then a crash is inevitable. Simons and Hutchinson, along with Ziyech, felt the brunt of that.

READ NEXT:

Fernandez signs, Gusto plan - Chelsea's best and worst case transfer deadline day scenarios

Chelsea set Enzo Fernandez priority amid deadline day obstacle to continue Todd Boehly rebuild

Sergio Aguero claims Todd Boehly has changed Chelsea with £88m Mykhailo Mudryk transfer

Find the footballs on the football.london website to win cash prize, vouchers and TV worth £3,000

Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge

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