Chelsea's Transfer Policy Under Scrutiny: Gary Neville Skeptical and Jamie Carragher Urges Need for Goalkeeper

Gary Neville is skeptical about Chelsea's transfer strategy, as the club approaches a staggering £1bn in spending since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital assumed control in 2022.

Last week, the team shattered the British transfer record by acquiring Moises Caicedo from Brighton for £115m, and they also secured Romeo Lavia from Southampton for £58m.

Chelsea have once again emerged as the top spenders in the transfer market for the third consecutive window. Their recent acquisitions include Christopher Nkunku for a hefty sum of £53m, Nicolas Jackson for £32m, Axel Disasi for £38.7m, and Robert Sanchez for £25m. With these signings, Chelsea's total expenditure since May last year has reached a staggering £928m.

During his appearance on Monday Night Football, Neville expressed his belief that Mauricio Pochettino would still desire more quality players in specific positions, especially in the attacking areas.

If your performance is strong on the field but lacks power in the attacking zone and displays some recklessness in defense, particularly with inexperienced center-backs, all your skilled football will not yield desired results. Although significant investments have been made in terms of monetary value, I see potential in those players that has the chance to develop into world-class talent.

Currently, there is a certain level of uncertainty and anticipation in identifying the potential top players. The organization has essentially chosen to invest in future prospects, trusting their recruitment team's expertise in making accurate evaluations.

"I am not wholly convinced with the strategy, the eight-year contracts, locking them down, whether those players will deliver what Chelsea need for that investment."

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Chelsea were beaten 3-1 at West Ham on Sunday

Carragher: Chelsea still need a goalkeeper

Despite the extensive changes, Chelsea managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Liverpool in the opening weekend of the new Premier League season. However, their subsequent match against 10-man West Ham at the London Stadium resulted in a disappointing 3-1 defeat.

Jamie Carragher stated that Chelsea has impressed in their recent games against Liverpool and West Ham. However, despite their good performance, it is notable that not many people are predicting Chelsea to finish in the top four considering the significant amount of money invested in the squad.

"That amount of money doesn't seem justified to me.

"Despite being highly impressed with their performance in those two games, I believe they still lack the required number of players to pose a challenge to Manchester City. By this, I don't mean winning the league but rather, I still think they need a goalkeeper, despite recently acquiring Robert Sanchez. Additionally, a top-notch centre-half is still needed considering that Thiago Silva is 38 years old."

There doesn't seem to be a definitive goalscorer. It's not necessary for your main striker to be the goalscorer, as seen with Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, who plays on the right wing. So, I'm not criticizing Nicolas Jackson, who is new to the club and has already made a positive impression.

However, when considering those crucial positions, it still seems like four players are needed to rival Manchester City, which doesn't sit well considering the significant amount of money they have invested.

Injuries catching up with Chelsea

Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka has had surgery on a left knee injury he suffered during the Premier League match against West Ham. The club has not provided a specific timetable for the young 19-year-old's return, but We News anticipates a recovery period of six weeks.

Chukwuemeka's first appearance for Chelsea was on the opening weekend against Liverpool. He showcased his skills by scoring a goal in the first half at West Ham. However, his triumphant moment was cut short as he unfortunately got injured and had to be substituted in the 45th minute.

How can Chelsea spend so much money on transfers?

Chelsea spent a whopping £601.7m last season and has already made a considerable splash by investing £345.9m on new signings this summer. However, a pressing question arises – how are they ensuring compliance with Financial Fair Play regulations?

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