Paul Merson gave his verdict on Chelsea’s transfer business, as he insists they will not win anything without a striker.
Chelsea finished the transfer window in some style, spending considerable money on getting many players in during the month. Led by their charismatic new owner Todd Boehly, the Blues took the market by storm and made some sensational, eye-catching moves to strengthen the squad.
They began the window by signing young striker David Fofana from Molde and followed that up with many other signings, including Andrey Santos and Benoit Badiashile. Chelsea then dropped their biggest signing under Boehly with the arrival of Mykhaylo Mudryk, for whom they comprehensively beat Arsenal.
Chelsea signed Noni Madueke and Malo Gusto between that period and the deadline day, although the latter will only arrive in the summer. The Blues ended the window with the British record capture of Enzo Fernandez, paying Benfica a fee reported to be over €120 million.
Despite the many arrivals in the window, Chelsea failed to address a key area of their team. The Blues have struggled this season without a performing striker in the side, with Kai Havertz and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all failing to impress.
🗣 "You're not going to win anything without a striker."
Paul Merson ranks Chelsea's January transfer window 🔵#DeadlineDay pic.twitter.com/ORFj0xBhmd
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 31, 2023
Former Arsenal star Paul Merson highlighted this fact and suggested Chelsea cannot win anything without the presence of a proper striker. His comments appeared on Sky Sports via Football Daily, where he displayed his admiration for the business done by Chelsea but insisted they lacked a goalscorer.
Merson said, “You’re not going to win anything without a goalscorer”.
Chelsea have scored far fewer goals than they are usually expected to. Their form in and around the box could cost them a place in next season’s Champions League as they continue languishing in the 10th spot. The club hierarchy will hope the new signings can transform them, but they need a new goalscorer to bolster the attack.
Fofana is yet to be tested with the senior side, but he may not become the immediate solution Chelsea needs. Hence, the Blues will hope the likes of Havertz and Aubameyang revive themselves and put in a concerted effort to improve their numbers.
