TL:DR
- Alan Shearer highlights Chelsea’s need for a striker, centre-back, and possibly a goalkeeper ahead of the January transfer window.
- The team has won only one of their last six premier league matches under coach Enzo Maresca.
- Gary Lineker notes Chelsea fans are growing discontented, despite earlier optimism.
- Liam Delap has struggled with injuries, scoring only two goals since joining.
- Joao Pedro, signed for £60m, has contributed 10 goals and four assists.
- Chelsea lost their last match 2-1 to Aston Villa.
Alan Shearer identifies three signings Chelsea need ahead of January transfer window | Football
Premier League legend Alan Shearer has identified three signings Chelsea need to make ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.
The Blues have struggled in the Premier League in recent weeks, winning just one of their last six top-flight games under head coach Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea have the opportunity to bring in new players next month, and Shearer is adamant that they need a new striker as well as a centre-back.
Shearer also believes the west London side might need a goalkeeper to replace current No.1 Robert Sanchez, despite his dramatic improvement.
‘I think they’re lacking a top-class No.9 and a top-class centre-half, I think, as well,’ Shearer said on The Rest Is Football podcast.
‘Maybe a goalkeeper… I’ve never been convinced with Chelsea that they can win the league.
‘I’m not saying that [Joao] Pedro and [Liam] Delap can’t do it, but I think to get to that elite level and challenge for the Premier League, then I would say they’d probably need a top-class centre-forward and centre-half.’
Gary Lineker says Chelsea fans ‘are starting to turn’
Gary Lineker, meanwhile, added: ‘It’s funny in football – a few weeks ago we were having a conversation about Chelsea saying they had that magnificent tactical performance against Barcelona.
‘Now the fans are starting to turn a little bit, I’ve noticed, if you can judge social media on these things.
‘They’re struggling. They still haven’t quite worked [who should play] centre-forward.
‘I mean, Liam Delap has been injured a lot this season. He’s not really had a run in the side. I don’t think Joao Pedro is really a No.9.’
Chelsea paid £30m to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich Town in the summer transfer window.
Delap suffered a hamstring injury earlier this season and more recently has been struggling with a shoulder problem.
The Englishman has played 18 games for Chelsea to date, scoring two goals.
Chelsea also signed Joao Pedro in the summer, splashing out £60m to recruit the Brazilian from Brighton.
Pedro has played a total of 26 matches for Chelsea so far, registering 10 goals and four assists.
Chelsea lost 2-1 at home to Aston Villa in their last Premier League game on Saturday.
The Blues are back in on Tuesday night when they host AFC Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge.