Chelsea legend Marcel Desailly believes the club needs to sign three players to address the issues with the current squad. He claimed that they need to ensure that the summer window will be key for the project at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking to GOAL, Desailly said that a goalkeeper is needed, but the most important signing will be a central defender. He claimed that the third signing should be a striker and said:

“More than the goalkeeper, first of all they have to take, if he’s new, they have to take an experienced goalkeeper who breeds confidence – we need confidence. And not only the goalkeeper, you need a central defender with experience, you need a striker with experience, to help [Enzo] Fernandez – who, I would say, is the only experienced player that we have in the squad. [Reece] James is okay, but he’s on and off, you know what I mean?”

Desailly claimed that the squad lacks natural leaders, and that has been an issue. He hopes that the goalkeeper or defender signed be able to bring in the experience needed and said:

“They did well last season, unbelievable season, but they need four experienced players in the squad to match with the young, talented players that we have in the side. [Pedro] Neto is experienced, Estevao, very good player also. [Cole] Palmer, he stays or he goes, no problem, but you cannot have doubt. But who is surrounding them? They are not natural leaders.”

Talking about the midfield, he added:

“The new era, the modern football project, you need five or six years of Premier League experience. They don’t have that, they are young players. [Moises] Caicedo, he had a great season last year, but this year he’s down. Why is he down? Because Fernandez, as an experienced player, is not staying by his side.

“James sometimes plays in the midfield, but he goes forward. So he’s been left alone. They need to be surrounding each line with experienced players. This will make the coach have more choice to put up his tactical setup. He’s only got young players.”

Chelsea win the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup last season, but have just the FA Cup to battle for this season.

Chelsea addressing squad issues

Chelsea have already signed Emmanuel Emegha from sister club Strasbourg and are unlikely to push for another striker. They have Nicolas Jackson on loan and the Senegal star is expected to be back in training for pre-season.

They have Mike Penders returning from loan this summer, and he is touted to be their main goalkeeper from next season. Robet Sanchez is expected to be the #2 with Filip Jorgensen moving elsewhere in the summer.

Chelsea have been linked with Marco Senesi, with the AFC Bournemouth star set to leave the club this summer. Tottenham and Manchester United are also interested in the Argentine.