Jamie Carragher says Chelsea transfer decision will cost them shot at title | Football

Jamie Carragher says Chelsea will never win the Premier League until they sign a new goalkeeper to replace Robert Sanchez.

A number of pundits have named Chelsea as dark horses to win the title next season after the Blues’ encouraging form over the past six months.

Chelsea qualified for the Champions League on the final day of the season while winning the Conference League. During the off-season, Chelsea won the controversial Club World Cup.

The big-spending west Londoners have bolstered Enzo Maresca’s squad this summer with a number of new signings, including Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Jorrel Hato.

Chelsea look set to complete more business before the transfer deadline as they pursue RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons and Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho.

Carragher doubts Chelsea’s heavy spending will result in a Premier League trophy until they sign a new goalkeeper to replace error-prone Sanchez.

Chelsea were in talks to sign France No. 1 Mike Maignan earlier in the summer but talks with AC Milan broke down.

Speaking on The Overlap, ex-Liverpool and England defender Carragher said: ‘Man United started winning league titles after they signed Peter Schmeichel.

‘I think of Everton as a kid and Neville Southall. Man City changed the keeper and started winning the league. We brought in Alisson and started winning the league. Chelsea started winning the league when they signed Petr Cech.

‘That’s why Chelsea can’t win the league. No matter what Chelsea do or how much they spend, they can’t win the league because they haven’t got a goalkeeper to win the league.’

Discussing the importance of goalkeepers, Manchester United legend Paul Scholes added: ‘I don’t think enough is mentioned about goalkeepers.

‘Look at the best team last year, they had the best goalkeeper in the world. Ederson worries me for Man City and I’m not sure James Trafford is the answer.

‘Ball-playing is a big part of it these days but I think it’s still secondary, you still need to be a presence in the goal.

‘I look at Alisson and I’m not sure how to score past him, I don’t think that with any other goalkeeper in the Premier League.’

While questioning Chelsea’s No. 1, Carragher also raised doubts over the club’s summer signings.

‘When I look at Chelsea, I think about what you did in the Club World Cup – everyone wanted to win it,’ he said.

‘Real Madrid really wanted to win, PSG did, and so did Manchester City, all those that we class as the best teams.

‘So I do think it’s a big thing and it will help build a connection between Enzo Maresca and the supporters, which wasn’t really there last season.

‘I’m not sure it’ll push Chelsea any closer to the title though. When Chelsea do business, over the last couple of years, it feels like a lot of players are changing without anyone really lifting the level.

‘I know Cole Palmer has been amazing, but all your wingers feel the same.

‘A perfect example is [Jamie] Gittens coming in and Madueke leaving – there is no elevation, and I see that with a lot of positions at Chelsea.’

Chelsea play pre-season friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan this weekend before the Premier League starts next weekend.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: Chelsea told to sign ‘brilliant’ £40m star after Levi Colwill injury blow

MORE: Paul Scholes tells Manchester United star to change his position

MORE: Manchester United approve deal for Rasmus Hojlund transfer