Liverpool legend and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has delivered a sobering assessment of Chelsea's Premier League title credentials, despite the Blues' staggering £250m summer spending spree.
The Spending Paradox
While Chelsea have splashed out on world-class talent including Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, Carragher argues the club is actually further away from title contention than when Todd Boehly's consortium took over in 2022.
"When you look at the team now compared to 18 months ago, I actually think they're further away from winning the league," Carragher stated during his analysis on Monday Night Football.
Three Critical Flaws
Carragher identified three fundamental issues plaguing Chelsea's rebuild:
- Lack of proven goalscorers: Despite Nicolas Jackson's potential, Chelsea lack a 20-goal-a-season striker
- Defensive fragility: The Blues have kept just one clean sheet in their first four matches
- Leadership vacuum: The dressing room lacks the strong personalities of previous title-winning sides
The Pochettino Factor
While acknowledging Mauricio Pochettino's pedigree, Carragher suggested the Argentine manager faces his toughest challenge yet: "This isn't about coaching - it's about building an entirely new culture at the club."
The pundit's comments come after Chelsea's mixed start to the season, with disappointing draws against Liverpool and West Ham already raising questions about their top-four credentials.
