Sky Sports pundit insists Chelsea need signings after display ‘bordering on disgrace’
Following Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday evening, Graeme Souness has slammed the club’s performance and called for signings.
Guus Hiddink’s men fell to a heavy loss to their rivals after being outplayed at Stamford Bridge, with Sergio Aguero scoring all three goals.
With Antonio Conte arriving in west London in the summer, Souness expects new faces at the club ahead of next season. Despite his scathing attack on Saturday’s display, he believes Chelsea have a strong core but need to strengthen around them.
“There is a nucleus of a very good team there,” he said on SNF. “But for them to get anywhere near the big trophies like the Premier League and Champions League, there has to be several new faces.
“It was a team with something to play for against a team going through the motions. Some of Chelsea’s play was bordering on a disgrace.
“The ones that have been good in the past have to step up to the mark again. Diego Costa went through the motions today, Eden Hazard, the Player of the Year last year, is coming back, and I don’t understand why
(Nemanja) Matic doesn’t play in the more difficult games. He was missed greatly today.”
Chelsea have nothing to play for this season in the grand scheme of things as they sit in 10th place and remain 15 points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal.
Following Jose Mourinho’s sacking in December, things have improved for the reigning Premier League champions, but much of the focus is now on next season and how Conte will rebuild the squad.
The Italian tactician will arrive following the conclusion of Euro 2016, and is widely expected to instil confidence and a winning mentality at the club following successful spells with Juventus and the Italian national team.
It is fairly certain that Chelsea won’t lack effort and desire under his stewardship as they are hallmarks of his success, but it remains to be seen how he adjusts to the Premier League in what will be a difficult transitional period.
