Transfer windows are rarely short on drama, but even by football’s chaotic standards, Ishe Samuels-Smith’s summer has been a rollercoaster. The 19-year-old left-back looked set for a fresh start in France with Strasbourg, only to return to Chelsea just over a month later, and then immediately head out on loan to Championship side Swansea City.
For a player yet to make a senior league appearance, the twists and turns of this transfer story have raised plenty of eyebrows.
Ishe Samuels-Smith has rejoined Chelsea from Strasbourg, 33 days after signing a permanent deal with the French club.
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) September 2, 2025
The Athletic reported in July that Samuels-Smith, 19, was to join Strasbourg for an undisclosed fee and this was confirmed by the clubs — both of whom are owned… pic.twitter.com/8dw2qTEmAH
Who is Samuels-Smith?
Born in Manchester, Samuels-Smith joined Everton’s academy at the age of nine and was quickly tipped as one of the most talented players in his age group. By 16, The Guardian had listed him among the best young players of his generation at Goodison Park.
Chelsea swooped in during the summer of 2023, paying around £4m to secure the teenager’s signature. Since then, Samuels-Smith has largely featured at youth level, captaining Chelsea’s Under-21s and impressing for England across multiple age groups, including a place in the UEFA U17 Euros Team of the Tournament.
The Strasbourg Detour
This summer, 19-year-old Samuels-Smith became part of Chelsea’s player-trading carousel across the BlueCo network. He joined Strasbourg on what was announced as a permanent deal at the end of July, a move seemingly designed to provide him with senior minutes in Ligue 1.
Yet just 33 days later, the plan unravelled. Strasbourg’s decision to extend the contract of Ismael Doukoure reduced the need for another young left-back, leaving Samuels-Smith surplus before he had even featured in Alsace. With FIFA rules allowing players to represent only two clubs in a season — and Samuels-Smith yet to make an appearance for Strasbourg — Chelsea were free to bring him back permanently and plot a fresh move.
Chelsea’s Loophole Play
The brief Strasbourg switch was also part of a wider strategy from the Premier League club. FIFA rules permit only three loans between the same two clubs in a single season. Chelsea had already used their allocation by sending Mike Penders, Kendry Paez and Mamadou Sarr on temporary deals.
To get around the cap, other players were moved under the guise of permanent transfers. Samuels-Smith, Mathis Amougou and Ben Chilwell all signed Strasbourg contracts outright. In Samuels-Smith’s case, Fabrizio Romano reported a £6.5m fee. But with his stay lasting little more than a month, the “permanent” element of the transfer now looks more like a clever piece of regulatory navigation than a long-term plan.
🚨🔵 Ishé Samuels-Smith leaves Chelsea to join BlueCo side Strasbourg for £6.5m transfer fee.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 29, 2025
Contract until June 2030, as @BobbyVincentFL reports. pic.twitter.com/TCwqfpK13a
Loan Move to Swansea
On deadline day, Samuels-Smith’s future took another twist. The teenager was confirmed as a Swansea City player, joining on loan from Chelsea for the 2025/26 season.
The move was welcomed by Swans boss Alan Sheehan, who noted that Samuels-Smith will provide depth in key areas, most likely serving as cover and rotation for first-choice left-back Josh Tymon.
He arrives at a club that also secured Celtic striker Adam Idah on deadline day, as Swansea looked to strengthen both ends of the pitch.
For Samuels-Smith, the Championship represents his first genuine taste of senior football. With only seven EFL Trophy outings to his name so far, this loan has the potential to be a pivotal step in his development.
A Bizarre Saga
When all is said and done, Samuels-Smith’s summer looks like one of the strangest transfer sagas in recent memory: sold by Chelsea, brought back a month later without kicking a ball, and immediately sent out on loan.
For the player himself, the noise won’t matter if he can make the most of this opportunity in South Wales. At 19, there’s plenty of time for Samuels-Smith to turn this bizarre chapter into a breakthrough one and kick start a career in English football.
