Why Chelsea Need More Big-Name Signings
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho shouldn't have his hand on the transfer panic button just yet, but it should be hovering.
Already this summer we've seen Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal make big statements of intent with their respective transfer policies, but Chelsea have yet to make a move.
This time last year, Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas were already Chelsea players. And come May, their signings were largely credited for the success Chelsea enjoyed as they breezed their way to the title, leading from the opening weekend.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
But 12 months on from those shrewd business deals, there's nothing more substantial coming out of Stamford Bridge, other than the daily grind that can be heard as the transfer rumour mill spins its way through the summer.
The fact Chelsea haven't signed any new players isn't the pressing concern, however. It's more to do with the names to which they are being linked.
Sure, Mourinho doesn't need to replace any of the big personalities who delivered Chelsea the Premier League title, although to defend that crown and be competitive in Europe, significant reinforcements need to be added.
The rumours we're hearing involve Charlie Austin (per Metro), Alex Song (per Sky Sports) and even Tottenham Hotspur misfit Moussa Dembele (per The Sun, via the Independent).
It's hardly exciting stuff. Save for some mentions in passing, where are the heavyweights?
Either Chelsea are doing their business in such secrecy that it's gone unnoticed thus far, or Mourinho is targeting players of a significantly lower calibre.
If it's the latter, the early indications must surely be that Chelsea's bid to retain the Premier League title are being damaged.
Mourinho need only look to the north-west and the fortunes of Manchester United and Manchester City to understand the importance of strengthening soon after winning the title.
Sir Alex Ferguson made the habit of signing a marquee player almost every summer to complement his team, making slight changes here and there to ensure United were not only competitive but dominant.
United had just won three successive league titles in 2001 when Ferguson opted for a change to his attacking lineup, signing Ruud van Nistelrooy from PSV Eindhoven.
The following summer Rio Ferdinand arrived at Old Trafford, while in 2007 the capture of Carlos Tevez helped ensure United kept Chelsea at bay the following season.
As for City, after each of their title victories, they haven't been proactive enough in the transfer market. On each occasion they have failed to successfully defend their position as England's No. 1 club.
City have been poor champions in that regard—one-hit wonders.
Quite where Chelsea stand right now remains to be seen, yet adding at least one marquee name in the coming weeks is a must.
If Chelsea can land the likes of Antoine Griezmann or Raheem Sterling—players who are needed for their ability much more than their billing—they will send out the right message.
What Chelsea must show their rivals is that winning the league is only the start of Mourinho's project; the ambition is to go much further.
The Chelsea boss has spoken of creating a dynasty to rival Ferguson at Old Trafford but needs stars to do that—players of real substance to make the difference when it matters most.
Where Chelsea came up short last term was in missing those game-changers at the vital moments. They only lost three matches all season, but failing to progress in the Champions League left a significant blemish.
It was alarming how, with a man extra and playing at home, Chelsea were second-best to Paris Saint-Germain. PSG showed more adventure and control and ultimately had better game management. PSG didn't beat Chelsea on the night, but with two away goals to Chelsea's one, they didn't have to. They got the advantage they needed, and Chelsea floundered in the process.
What we witnessed in March was how ineffective Eden Hazard can be when managers deliberately set out to stop him playing. It showed he is like any other player. PSG adopted some dark arts, yet it must be said that Laurent Blanc's tactics were the biggest factor in shackling him.
Chelsea can't rely just on Hazard as their creative source—there needs to be more if this team is to repeat the 2012 success in the Champions League.
That's the ultimate goal; it's what will qualify Mourinho's return as a failure or success.
It was a quote that defined Alan Hansen's career as a pundit. "You don't win anything with kids," he famously stated on Match of the Day in 1995 after Manchester United had lost to Aston Villa on the opening day of the season with a team filled largely with academy graduates.
Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt all started that afternoon, while David Beckham came off the bench as a second-half substitute.
Losing 3-1, it wasn't the best start to their careers as United regulars, but as we know, the rest is history after things gradually turned in their favour. United won the title in 1995/96 and dominated English football for years with that nucleus of players.
Chelsea are hinting they may be capable of achieving something similar themselves. The club is dominating youth football in England right now, and in Ruben Loftus-Cheek, we're beginning to see that filter through with names in the first team.
Chelsea's transfer policy mustn't hinder that progress, but it shouldn't mean that they should neglect adding players of significant value who can propel them forward.
There needs to be a balance, and signing marquee names, within reason, isn't going to tip it over the edge.
The big names in world football come with reputations that have been earned on the back of their excellence. It's why clubs are so willing to pay a premium for them.
Now that their rivals are so eager to catch them, Chelsea need a few more of their own to ensure they aren't left behind.
Will they be United or City?
Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
