Former Liverpool defender and now Sky Sports pundit, Jamie Carragher, has cast doubt on Chelsea’s chances of lifting the Premier League title anytime soon.
Carragher argues that the club’s current squad lacks the quality and balance needed to challenge at the very top.
The former player made it clear that his criticism was not aimed at head coach Enzo Maresca, who he described as having done “a brilliant job” since arriving at Stamford Bridge.
“In his first year, he secured Champions League football, and the title was never realistically in contention,” Carragher said on Tuesday.
“Getting Chelsea back into the Champions League through the league and winning the competitions he entered is impressive. To not just beat Paris Saint-Germain but dominate them in the Club World Cup was brilliant.”
Despite his praise, Carragher was blunt about the club’s shortcomings, particularly in recruitment over the last three and a half years.
“My criticism is aimed at Chelsea as a club. After all the money that has been spent, how do you still end up with a team like this?” he asked.
“Chelsea fans know the truth. Look back at the squads that won the league — who were their goalkeepers? Petr Čech and Thibaut Courtois. That says everything.
“My big issue is not with Maresca, but with the fact that after years of spending and rebuilding, Chelsea still has a goalkeeper and centre-backs who are not of title-winning standard. You can’t win the league with that. It’s simply impossible.”
Carragher suggested that while Chelsea had invested heavily in attackers and young talent, the lack of proven leaders in key defensive areas has left them short of competing with Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool.
When asked about Carragher’s comments, Maresca brushed them aside calmly.
“Anyone can say what they want,” the Italian said.
The Chelsea boss remains focused on turning results around after last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Naija News reports that The Blues face Lincoln City in the EFL Cup tonight, with fans expecting a response.
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