Graham Potter has been promised funds in January (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Chelsea are paying the price for a chaotic summer transfer window and cannot afford to make more ‘panic buys’.

That’s according to former midfielder Emmanuel Petit, who believes Todd Boehly’s lack of experience cost the club dearly in the last transfer window.

The Blues were the biggest spenders in world football last summer, with Boehly sanctioning a £300m spree on the likes of Wesley Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling among others.

Thomas Tuchel was sacked just a week after the window closed and was replaced by Graham Potter.

The former Brighton boss has been promised funds to spend in January and he’s keen to sign a midfielder, a forward and a goalkeeper.

But Petit feels the club made a series of ‘panic buys’ last summer and says the club must change their approach if they’re to prevent a repeat.

Petit feels Chelsea are paying for their panic buys (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)

‘It’s been a very difficult season for Chelsea,’ Petit told Mega Casino.

‘When I look at some of their players, especially Thiago Silva who was so distressed after what happened with Brazil, there are many question marks. There are a lot of troubles surrounding so many individuals at Stamford Bridge. 

‘The pressure is on Graham Potter because I can’t remember the last time Chelsea won a game, especially against the big guns. We all know that 2022 was a terrible year for Chelsea off the pitch, but I don’t feel confident things will change in the second half of the season.

‘I’m not sure what Chelsea will do in the transfer market, but they spent so much money in the summer already. I had the feeling that they didn’t have a vision – it felt like panic buying. It seemed like that if they couldn’t get their primary or secondary targets, they were signing players because they needed too. If a player became available, they bought him, at least that is what I felt looking at it from the outside. 

‘Chelsea need to go back to managing the club before all of the trouble (Roman Abramovich sanctions and sale). I’m sure they will do that, but this season will be transitional season for Chelsea. 

‘The competition for the top four will be so tight. Now you have Newcastle, who are not playing in Europe, they don’t have that many players who were affected by playing at the World Cup. They will be active in the transfer window. They will add more quality. 

‘There are probably seven or eight clubs fighting for the Champions League. Chelsea need to be very careful. They need to be very careful how they manage the next two transfer windows as well.’

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They can’t afford more mistakes…