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I think Chelsea can win Premier League title - but Enzo Maresca needs three mega transfers

Enzo Maresca
-Credit:Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC


Jamie Carragher believes Chelsea are three signings away from properly competing for the Premier League title.

The Blues were spoken of by many as league title contenders up until the Christmas period with Enzo Maresca perhaps overachieving with the squad of players he has at his disposal. However, the end of December and the start of January saw the west Londoners fall away a little bit while Liverpool, who are six points clear at the top of the table, kept on winning.

Draws against Everton, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, as well as back-to-back defeats to Fulham and Crystal Palace saw Chelsea go on a five-match run without a win in the Premier League. Monday night's victory against Wolves saw that come to a welcome end from a Blues perspective as Maresca's side survived a bit of a scare from the visitors at Stamford Bridge.

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Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports ahead of Chelsea's win against Wolves, spoke about why the Blues are not yet ready to compete with the likes of Liverpool. The former Reds and England defender explained: "You think of [William] Saliba at Arsenal, you think of [Virgil] van Dijk at Liverpool. That is what this team needs, someone of that stature."

He continued: "I think Chelsea have to get Champions League football this season. I know it's a young team, I get that, but the money that's been spent over the last couple of years with the new ownership, they've changed their manager, minimum requirement has to be Champions League football next season.

"And then you would imagine they invest in a goalkeeper, maybe a centre-back, maybe another striker. Then they might be in a position to challenge for the title."

While Carragher is not always the most popular figure among the Chelsea fan base, the ex-Liverpool defender's opinion is one actually held by many. Robert Sanchez has come under mass scrutiny this season from Blues supporters - and Monday night's win against Wolves has not done any good to his reputation either.

Sanchez was at fault for Wolves' goal on the stroke of half-time with the Spaniard coming to collect a corner but fumbling the ball into the path of Matt Doherty, who turned the ball home after a scrap in the six-yard box. Maresca, though, who has been challenged on his goalkeeper multiple times this season, launched a stern defence of the Spaniard.

The error from Sanchez was the shot-stopper's fourth of the season in the Premier League, with only Ipswich Town goalkeeper Arijanet Muric having more to date with five. "Fourth mistake leading to a goal? And how many times has he saved us? I think more than four.

"No problem. Mistakes happen to him, to the strikers, central defenders, no problem. Robert is doing well."

Elsewhere, Chelsea have plenty of centre-backs at their disposal but many fans think the club need to make a Van Dijk-esque signing; an imperious figure who can lead the team in adversity. Levi Colwill has shown signs he can do just that, but is still developing. As is Wesley Fofana, whose injury problems over the last few seasons are a real concern for Chelsea.

Chelsea are also in the transfer market for a central striker as they look to ease the burden on Nicolas Jackson. The 23-year-old striker has started all but two of Chelsea's Premier League games this season with Christopher Nkunku being used as the No.9 in cup competitions and Marc Guiu not yet trusted to feature regularly in the top-flight.