Gary Neville believes Chelsea still need three major signings to compete for the Premier League title.
The west London club have spent fortunes on transfers in recent times but Neville says they’re still short in three key positions.
Chelsea briefly threatened to mount a real title challenge this season under latest boss Enzo Maresca but their form has fallen off a cliff since mid-December.
Maresca’s side had won just one in every of their last seven Premier League games before Monday’s much-needed 2-1 victory over London rivals West Ham and needed three points against the Hammers to maneuver back into the Champions League spots.
Filip Jorgensen replaced Maresca’s struggling No. 1 Robert Sanchez for Chelsea and Neville believes goalkeeper is one in every of three areas the club must strengthen to challenge for major trophies.
Neville, who lifted eight Premier League trophies during his 19-year spell at Manchester United, also believes Chelsea must sign a brand new striker and ‘possibly a brand new centre-back’.
Nicolas Jackson began the season in impressive form but has now gone eight games with no goal and was hooked just after half time against West Ham.
Discussing Chelsea’s progression under Maresca after the West Ham win, Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast: ‘I feel they’re in a very good position they usually’re having a very good season.
‘The shock was that bad run they went on was during a period you thought they were going to select up loads of points given the opponents. But where they’re, I actually had them in fourth.
‘You’re going to get a rollercoaster of results with a young team, you’re not going to get an ideal climb to the highest. They’re going to select up lessons along the way in which and we’re seeing that.
‘They need improvements in two or three positions and they’ll know that as well, it’s not only a case of those players developing and winning the league.
‘They’ll must add to the squad. In goalkeeper, centre-forward, possibly a centre-back, they’re going to want to enhance. But they’re on the suitable track they usually’re in a very good position.’
Maresca has repeatedly defended Sanchez this season despite the Spanish shot-stopper making more errors than have led to goals than every other goalkeeper within the Premier League.
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Nevertheless, the ex-Leicester City took Sanchez out of the firing line against West Ham in favour of £21m signing Jorgensen.
Asked whether Jorgensen could possibly be the answer to Chelsea’s problems between the sticks, Neville added: ‘It’s too early to say.
‘There have been a few nervy moments which is natural for a young goalkeeper coming in in such pressure and seeing his mate struggle.
‘It was a cushty night for him however the tougher tests will come and we’ll see what happens then.’
Chelsea endured a subdued January transfer window, focusing their efforts on trimming Maresca’s squad relatively than bringing latest players in.
Speaking after the West Ham win, Maresca said: ‘Today was a tricky game, especially mentally.
‘When West Ham come here and sit back with 10 players behind the ball, it’s challenging, so you may have to be mentally strong and you want to be patient.
‘We had greater than 10 shots in the primary half. We had clear probabilities in the primary half but unfortunately, we missed the goal.
‘With some changes the sport completely modified. Overall we completely deserved to win the sport.’
On his decision to swap up his goalkeepers, Maresca added: ‘On this moment, Robert [Sanchez] needs rest and Filip [Jorgensen] was superb.’
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