Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has criticised Chelsea's transfer policy, arguing that their focus on young players will not bring Premier League success. Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher said the Blues need a more experienced centre-back, aged 27 or 28, to progress.
Chelsea are pursuing a deal for Rennes teenager Jeremy Jacquet, but Carragher dismissed the move as insufficient. 'That defender, as we both know, I'm sure he's got great potential, but he'll make mistakes because he's young,' he said. 'If they continue like that, I don't see any reason anyone outside of Chelsea will be worried about Chelsea winning a title in the next year or two.'
Carragher highlighted that Chelsea's current starting XI averages just 24 years and 210 days – younger than any of their title-winning sides, including the 2004/05 team under Jose Mourinho (25 years and 250 days). 'If I were a Chelsea fan, it would bother me because the numbers tell you about how to go about winning the league,' he added.
Rennes manager Habib Beye acknowledged Jacquet could still leave before the transfer deadline. 'There are still a few days left in the transfer window; anything can happen,' Beye said. 'As a coach, I want to keep my best players, but there's an economic reality.'
Carragher concluded that Chelsea must bring in a seasoned defender to guide their young talents, or risk continued inconsistency at the back. 'The reason they chop and change centre-backs so often is that they're all the same level, no real standout,' he remarked.
