Chelsea’s defeat to Man City highlighted the gap between Liam Rosenior’s side and a title-challenging team on Sunday, and Daniel Sturridge has criticised Todd Boehly’s recruitment.
Chelsea had actually acquitted themselves well in the first half, unlucky not to take the lead through Marc Cucurella. But from the start of the second half, Chelsea were second best as Man City eased to a 3-0 win.
It has been said on numerous occasions. Chelsea have signed some brilliant players with huge potential, players that Todd Boehly and Clearlake have spent a fortune on to bring to Stamford Bridge since 2022.
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But they lack experience. They lack a group of players that the youngsters can lean on. Daniel Sturridge emphasised this after the 3-0 loss, suggesting Chelsea should have signed PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Chelsea should have signed Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
After 59 goals and assists in 107 Napoli games, Kvaratskhelia joined PSG in January 2025 for a £59m fee. He has since gone on to sparkle in a PSG shirt, boasting 37 goals and assists in 71 PSG appearances.
But Chelsea were linked with a move for the Georgia star that month, prior to his move to PSG. Daniel Sturridge told Sky Sports that Chelsea need more experienced players, using Kvaratskhelia as an example.
“The biggest thing for Chelsea is making sure they get Champions League football. The recruitment, attracting players without Champions League football, is going to be very difficult for them.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of PSG celebrates his goal
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“They need players who are the finished article. They spend what, £40m, £50m on players and no disrespect to them, but Kvaratskhelia at PSG, who at €70m (£59m) in January [2025], they go and buy him.
“You saw what he did to Chelsea over two legs, he was available. But they buy multiple players, when you could spend more on one, one playing at the highest level, Champions League, we know what he’s about.
“That’s what it is, it’s all good investing in potential, but potential is not enough, it’s got to come true. You have to buy experienced players who can help the younger players be the players we hope they can be.”
What do Chelsea need to do in the summer window?
Chelsea have already confirmed four new additions in Emanuel Emegha, Geovany Quenda, Denner and Datsan Satpaev. The Blues are planning to integrate Quenda, but the others could be sent out on loan.
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Strasbourg midfielder Valentin Barco is set to join Emegha, with Mike Penders, Aaron Anselmino and David Fofana also returning to Chelsea from the BlueCo-owned club after loan spells over in France.
There is going to have to be a huge turnover of players once again. But what is crucial is that Chelsea sign experienced players in goal, at centre-back, possibly in midfield, and certainly in attack this summer.
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