“That area is leaking, they need a good replacement” – Shaun Wright-Phillips Reveals the player Chelsea Must Sign in January
Under head coach Enzo Maresca, Chelsea has been playing well this season. After 16 games, the Blues are currently ranked second in the Premier League and have made significant strides.
Shaun Wright-Phillips, a former Chelsea player, believes the team needs to bolster one key position during the January transfer window.
Wright-Phillips disagrees with certain commentators who think Chelsea should replace goalkeeper Robert Sanchez or sign a great striker like Victor Osimhen of Nigeria. In an interview with chelsea247.com, he emphasized that Chelsea should put more effort into acquiring a seasoned center-back.
Wright-Phillips Emphasizes Chelsea’s Defensive Concerns
“I think Victor Osimhen would be a great addition to the Premier League,” Wright-Phillips stated. “But I don’t believe Chelsea’s priority should be the striker position right now. They let Thiago Silva leave, but they didn’t replace him. What they need most is experience in defence.”
Wright-Phillips pointed out that Chelsea is not struggling to score goals this season. Their primary issue has been allowing unnecessary goals. “If they can cut out those defensive mistakes, we’d see a completely different Chelsea,” he added.
Maresca Acknowledges Defensive Issues
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has also recognized the team’s defensive shortcomings. Despite a strong start to the season, Maresca has continually downplayed Chelsea’s chances of competing for the Premier League title.
Following a 2-1 win over Brentford, Maresca commented: “No matter how many games we win, we’re not ready to challenge for the title. Teams that know how to win titles don’t concede goals like we did in the last minutes. That’s something we must improve.”
The Importance of Signing a Centre-Back for Chelsea
As the January transfer window nears, adding an experienced centre-back could help resolve Chelsea’s defensive concerns and enhance their title aspirations. While attacking options like Osimhen would be exciting, Wright-Phillips argues that strengthening the defence should be Chelsea’s main focus.
With the Blues continuing their strong form this season, bolstering the defence could be the key to long-term success.