"Chelsea have just got to stop buying players” - Jamie Carragher questions Blues' transfer strategy after reaching agreement to sign 24-year-old star
Enzo Maresca’s Premier League debut with Chelsea certainly didn’t go to plan as the Blues suffered a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City at home on Sunday, August 18. However, Chelsea continue to bolster their squad in the transfer market, with the latest addition set to be Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix.
Meanwhile, academy graduate Conor Gallagher is headed in the opposite direction, with his move finally approved after days of uncertainty. With the reported arrival of Félix, Chelsea have signed 12 players this season, adding to an already large squad that the head coach must manage.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher questioned the sheer number of players the club have acquired and believes they need to stop signing players if they want to progress and compete against the top clubs.
“Chelsea have just got to stop buying players and players have got to stop signing for Chelsea. I don’t know why any player would look at Chelsea and sign for them, the only reason could be is their agent is saying 'we’re getting a 7 year deal on big money, that’s guaranteed money for 7 years'," Carragher said (on Monday Night Football via Sky Sports).
Carragher also mentioned the uncertainty surrounding player positions, particularly with the number of forwards at the club.
"Tell me where he’s (Felix) going to play. They’ve signed Neto last week as well. Where will he play when you have Cole Palmer? Where’d you play Enzo Fernandez and Nkunku?"
"You are asking where Joao Felix is going to play? Do you know what I want to ask you? Where is he getting changed at the training ground? I’m deadly serious," he added.
It’s certainly not an ideal situation, as Chelsea continue to push for new signings, including a deal for Victor Osimhen, which would involve Romelu Lukaku moving to Napoli.
Additionally, Raheem Sterling’s future is uncertain after Maresca completely dropped him from the squad for the fixture against Manchester City. The Englishman's camp also issued a statement asking for clarity about his future at the club.
Enzo Maresca content with Chelsea’s performance against Manchester City
Chelsea certainly put up a fight against Manchester City, and it was undoubtedly an improved performance compared to their 4-2 defeat to City in pre-season.
Erling Haaland opened the scoring in the 18th minute, and despite a strong second half from Chelsea, Pep Guardiola’s men secured all three points with a stunning late strike from Mateo Kovacic (84').
Maresca, however, believes his team gave the reigning champions a tough challenge but noted that the difference was City’s clinical finishing in the final third, whereas Chelsea were not as effective.
"I thought our performance was good. We don’t like to lose but I thought the performance was there. We created chances and I think the big difference between us and them was especially in the box and the way they managed the ball in the last parts of the game but they are masters at that. Overall, I think our performance was quite good," Maresca said (via the club's official website).
The Blues will next face Swiss club Servette in the Conference League playoff tie (August 22), before taking on Wolves at Molineux Stadium on Sunday, August 25.