€50m mistake? Chelsea passed on Barcelona star who is now being compared to Frank Lampard
Chelsea may already be regretting one of the biggest decisions they made in the summer of 2025.
Details: According to talkSPORT, Chelsea had the opportunity to sign Barcelona midfielder Fermín López during the summer transfer window of 2025, when the Catalan club were prepared to discuss his departure. However, the London side refused to go beyond the €50 million mark and the Spaniard ultimately remained at Barcelona.
One year later, that decision looks increasingly painful for Chelsea. López has developed into an important figure in Hansi Flick's Barcelona side and has started the 2026/27 LaLiga campaign in spectacular form, recording four goals and two assists across the opening four league matches.
His latest display came in Barcelona's 5-0 victory over Valencia, when the 23-year-old midfielder scored once and provided two assists. His ability to arrive late in the penalty area, find space behind defenders and regularly contribute goals from midfield has now even prompted comparisons with Chelsea legend Frank Lampard.
It is worth noting that López became the first Spanish player since Cesc Fàbregas in the 2011/12 campaign to score four goals in Barcelona's opening four LaLiga matches of a season.
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Steven Perez
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