Jamie Carragher says Chelsea still need to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga and strengthen at centre-back before they can have serious hopes of challenging for the Premier League title.
Chelsea have made up for lost time in the wake of their two-window transfer ban, signing Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Kai Havertz, Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr already this summer, and Frank Lampard has made no secret of his ambitions to compete with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City.
The Blues conceded 54 goals in the English top flight last term – the same number as 15th-placed Brighton – and there are hopes former PSG captain Silva can help fix their leaky defence with his proven pedigree and experience.
However, Carragher feels Chelsea are still crying out for a long-term solution at centre-half, with Silva turning 36 later this month.
The former Liverpool defender is also adamant Kepa needs to be replaced before next month’s deadline amid reports Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is on the cusp of a move to Stamford Bridge.
‘Playing at Anfield towards the end of the season was the perfect example of Chelsea – goals going in at either end – and I still think that will be the case,’ Carragher told Sky Sports.
‘They’ll be a great watch but until they sort out the goalkeeping situation and centre-back, to be honest.
‘I love Thiago Silva, he’s been fantastic, but to come to the Premier League at 35, almost 36, is a tough ask.’
‘We’ve seen players like Laurent Blanc who came and played with Gary [Neville] at Manchester United.
‘Blanc was a World Cup winner and found it tough when he came so it’s not easy to come in.
When Neville pointed out that Blanc won the league with United, Carragher responded: ‘Well Thiago Silva won’t win the league with Kepa behind him!’
Lampard refused to be drawn into the speculation surrounding Kepa and the Spaniard’s potential replacement, Mendy, at his press conference on Thursday.
‘It’s a situation I don’t want to be drawn on,’ the Chelsea manager said.
‘Mendy is a Rennes player and so it’s a non-starter for me to talk about at the minute.’
He said: ‘Discussions have started with Chelsea for Edouard Mendy.
‘I can understand his desire and he told us.
‘But for the moment, there is no agreement and for a transfer, we need an agreement of the three parties.’
