Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney delivered damning verdicts on Chelsea by identifying three key positions the Blues must strengthen to challenge for major trophies
Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney speaking on Match of the Day
Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney had the task of analysing Chelsea on Match of the Day
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Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney insist Chelsea still need a better goalkeeper, defender or striker to mount a serious challenge for major silverware. Both pundits raised concerns about the club's transfer model following their 3-0 defeat to Everton, with Rooney calling out 18-goal man Joao Pedro.
Keeper Robert Sanchez has shipped seven goals across three matches since his return to the side and bore responsibility for the second at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Jorrell Hato and Wesley Fofana operated as the centre-backs ahead of him.
Pedro, who has 18 goals in all competitions this season, led the line, whilst Liam Delap entered proceedings as a late substitute. Rooney admitted he is not entirely convinced by the Brazilian despite his solid goal return, while Shearer also criticised Chelsea's transfer business on Match of the Day.
The former Newcastle United manager and striker said: "They haven't got a top-class goalkeeper, and they haven't got a top-class centre half, despite the money that they've spent, and until they get that, they're not going to compete, I don't think, where they want to be."
Rooney added: "I still think the forward as well. I know Joao Pedro's done well, but if you want to go and challenge for the big trophies, then you need that centre-forward who's going to inspire you."
Thier comments came after Chelsea suffered a brutal drubbing against Everton, putting their chances of making the top-four into serious jeopardy, with Rosenior's men now in sixth and three points off the pace despite playing a game more than Aston Villa in fourth.
Shearer also questioned their transfer model with the Blues shelling out hundreds of millions since Todd Boehly came in. He said: "They think that's the right way, to buy young and maybe to sell on in years to come and to give them a long contract. I'm not so sure."
Joao Pedro during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge.
Joao Pedro has had a decent season but Rooney is not totally convinced by him(Image: Ryan Pierse, Getty Images)
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Rooney continued: "If you want to be successful and you want to win trophies, every successful team's got good experienced players in the squad. If you want to go down this model of buying young players, selling them, bringing more young players in and trying to develop them, then it's going to be very, very difficult."
He also said: "They've got a lot of young players, and they are very inexperienced. The team does change quite a bit as well.
"I don't think they're getting that togetherness on the pitch. The more you change young players, they don't get a run of games, and they don't compete."
Rooney, however, reckons Liam Rosenior, whom he worked alongside at Derby County, is unjustly targeted for criticism. The former head coach said: "I think he has been from the moment he went in, really.
"Liam knows he'll be judged on results. He started really well, but they've hit a bad run of form over the last couple of weeks, and he needs to figure out a way to get out of it. I know he's a fantastic coach, but it's going to take time."
Chelsea do not return to action for a fortnight until their FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale at Stamford Bridge. That marks the first of three successive home fixtures, starting with Manchester City before welcoming Manchester United.
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