Gary Neville names three signings Chelsea need to compete for Premier League title

Gary Neville believes Chelsea still need three major signings to compete for the Premier League title.

The west London club have spent fortunes on transfers in recent years but Neville says they are still short in three key positions.

Chelsea briefly threatened to mount a genuine title challenge this season under new boss Enzo Maresca but their form has fallen off a cliff since mid-December.

Maresca’s side had won just one of their last seven Premier League games before Monday’s much-needed 2-1 victory over London rivals West Ham and needed three points against the Hammers to move back into the Champions League spots.

Filip Jorgensen replaced Maresca’s struggling No. 1 Robert Sanchez for Chelsea and Neville believes goalkeeper is one of three areas the club need to strengthen to challenge for major trophies.

Neville, who lifted eight Premier League trophies during his 19-year spell at Manchester United, also believes Chelsea need to sign a new striker and ‘maybe a new centre-back’.

Nicolas Jackson started the season in impressive form but has now gone eight games without a goal and was hooked just after half time against West Ham.

Discussing Chelsea’s progression under Maresca after the West Ham win, Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast: ‘I think they’re in a good position and they’re having a good season.

‘The shock was that bad run they went on was during a period you thought they were going to pick up a lot of points given the opponents. But where they are, I actually had them in fourth.

‘You’re going to get a rollercoaster of results with a young team, you’re not going to get a perfect climb to the top. They’re going to pick up lessons along the way and we’re seeing that.

‘They need improvements in two or three positions and they will know that as well, it’s not just a case of these players developing and winning the league.

‘They will need to add to the squad. In goalkeeper, centre-forward, maybe a centre-back, they’re going to need to improve. But they’re on the right track and they’re in a good position.’

Maresca has repeatedly defended Sanchez this season despite the Spanish shot-stopper making more errors than have led to goals than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League.

However, the ex-Leicester City took Sanchez out of the firing line against West Ham in favour of £21m signing Jorgensen.

Asked whether Jorgensen could be the solution to Chelsea’s problems between the sticks, Neville added: ‘It’s too early to say.

‘There were a couple of nervy moments which is natural for a young goalkeeper coming in in such pressure and seeing his mate struggle.

‘It was a comfortable night for him but the tougher tests will come and we will see what happens then.’

Chelsea endured a subdued January transfer window, focusing their efforts on trimming Maresca’s squad rather than bringing new players in.

Speaking after the West Ham win, Maresca said: ‘Today was a tough game, especially mentally.

‘When West Ham come here and sit back with 10 players behind the ball, it’s not easy, so you have to be mentally strong and you need to be patient.

‘We had more than 10 shots in the first half. We had clear chances in the first half but unfortunately, we missed the target.

‘With some changes the game completely changed. Overall we completely deserved to win the game.’

On his decision to swap up his goalkeepers, Maresca added: ‘In this moment, Robert [Sanchez] needs rest and Filip [Jorgensen] was very good.’

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