Chelsea will come face to face on Saturday with a player who once represented their future — and now threatens to deepen their December misery. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, the midfielder who arrived at Stamford Bridge in a £30m deal that never fully convinced supporters or analysts, returns as one of Everton’s most influential players under David Moyes.
For Dewsbury-Hall, the Chelsea chapter always felt short-lived. Signed shortly before his 26th birthday, many questioned whether he would ever have a realistic chance of breaking into a star-studded Chelsea midfield for the biggest fixtures. His arrival owed much to his starring role in Leicester City’s Championship-winning season under Enzo Maresca — a manager who knew his strengths intimately.
But the predictable happened: Dewsbury-Hall played more minutes in the Conference League than in the Premier League. He became a reliable European performer but struggled to earn a meaningful domestic role. Chelsea eventually sold him to Everton for roughly the fee they paid, and he has since flourished.
Dewsbury-Hall in elite form — and Chelsea have no equivalent output
The numbers tell the story. In his last five Premier League appearances, Dewsbury-Hall has produced three goals and two assists — a level of end product that no Chelsea attacker has matched in the same period. His influence has become central to Moyes’ side, with the Toffees relying heavily on his timing, late runs, and clever finishing.
Everton also pose threats through Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish, but Dewsbury-Hall has become their primary spark.
Maresca: “I like players to be happy — and Kiernan is happy now”
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, who worked closely with Dewsbury-Hall at Leicester, offered a candid reflection at his Friday press conference. He admitted that the midfielder’s lack of minutes last season was inevitable given the competition in Chelsea’s midfield — but stressed that he remains pleased to see the 27-year-old thriving elsewhere.
“No, I like the players to be happy. When you do a session every day and don’t play, you’re not happy. I am sure Kiernan is happier now because he’s playing every game.” — Enzo Maresca
Maresca made no attempt to hide the reality: Chelsea’s depth made Dewsbury-Hall’s pathway extraordinarily difficult.
“I didn’t have any doubts about Kiernan. He was good all season for us, working hard. The time he played, he did well. But the competition was big for him.”
For Everton, that competition gap has become their gain.
“A learning curve” — Dewsbury-Hall on his Chelsea spell
Before Chelsea’s Conference League quarter-final trip to Legia Warsaw last season, Dewsbury-Hall openly acknowledged that his first year in London was challenging.
He called the campaign a “learning curve”, saying he never expected to dominate minutes immediately because he was “not stupid.” But he insisted he remained diligent and professional throughout. His reward? A move to a club where he is trusted, relied upon and valued.
Now he returns to Stamford Bridge in the form of his life — and with the potential to hurt a team still struggling for identity under Maresca.
Numbers That Tell the Story – His Hot Streak
| Category | Last 5 PL Games |
|---|---|
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Goal Contributions | 5 |
source: Transfermarkt – 13 December 2025
These are numbers Chelsea desperately wish one of their own midfielders could replicate. For a team struggling in front of goal — and winless in their last four matches — the sight of a player they let go returning in this type of form is not ideal timing.
This reunion could sting Chelsea
In our view, Chelsea facing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall narrative shows the risk of clubs stockpiling talent, only for strong performers to slip through the cracks. Although some Chelsea fans argue that Dewsbury-Hall lacked the ceiling to become a starter, the nuance is that his current form would make him one of the first names on their team-sheet today.
From covering Chelsea’s post-Abramovich era, this pattern is familiar: the club often signs “system players” without clear pathways. Dewsbury-Hall needed rhythm, trust and a defined role — all of which he has now found under Moyes.
A fair counterpoint: Chelsea’s midfield competition is fierce, and Dewsbury-Hall may not have reached this level had he remained a squad player. But what matters is what he can do now — and that is precisely why Saturday could be uncomfortable.
Why Everton rely heavily on him
Moyes’ Everton thrive on structured attacks, late midfield entries and runners beyond the striker. Dewsbury-Hall fits that blueprint perfectly. Chelsea, vulnerable in defensive transitions and slow to track midfield runners, are exactly the sort of opponent he could punish.
Key Insights
- Dewsbury-Hall returns to Stamford Bridge in red-hot form for Everton.
- Chelsea signed him for £30m but sold him a year later after limited minutes.
- Maresca says competition prevented him from breaking through.
- The midfielder has 3 goals and 2 assists in his last five PL matches.
- Chelsea are winless in four and vulnerable to players with his profile.
What’s Next
Chelsea host Everton later on today seeking their first win in five matches. But Dewsbury-Hall arrives as one of the Premier League’s in-form midfielders — and a reminder of the transfer decisions that continue to haunt the Blues.
👉 Chelsea fans — do you regret letting Dewsbury-Hall leave?
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