Former Premier League star Troy Deeney has pinpointed a "big" issue that Chelsea must resolve this summer after suffering their fourth defeat in seven Premier League games against Arsenal on Sunday.
Mikel Merino, playing as a makeshift striker, scored the only goal as the Gunners secured a 1-0 victory, denting Chelsea's hopes of a top-four finish and qualification for next season's Champions League.
Like Arsenal, Chelsea lacked a natural striker, with head coach Enzo Maresca deploying Pedro Neto up front in the absence of the injured Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu.
Despite his energy, the Portugal international struggled to make an impact, failing to hit the target with any of his three shots or complete a single dribble. He also had just one touch in Arsenal's box, despite playing the entire game.
During an appearance on Match of the Day 2 on Sunday evening, Deeney, who is Watford's all-time top scorer with 140 goals, criticised Chelsea for entering the game without a fit striker, especially considering their hefty spending in recent years.
"Nicolas Jackson is another big one for them, but again, over a billion pounds spent so to only have one striker in the building is pretty poor," Deeney said. "It is something they are going to have to rectify going forward."
The former Birmingham City striker also highlighted two other areas Chelsea need to address this summer.
"If you want to be challenging, you also need a proper goalkeeper and a proper centre-half and those are the three bits of the picture they need," he said.
England and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney, who sat alongside Deeney on MOTD2, agreed that Chelsea have yet to reap the rewards of their big spending but expects that to change soon.
England and Manchester United legend Wayen Rooney sat alongside Deeney on MOTD2, and though he agreed that Chelsea have yet to reap the rewards of their big spending, he expects that to change in the near future.
"They have signed a lot of players and it's still a really young team. There have been some good signs from Chelsea this season," said Rooney.
"That lack of experience as a group is probably catching up with them," he added. "I do think over the next couple of years we are going to see Chelsea elevating themselves to get them towards the top of the league. I do think they are on a good path."
Chelsea need a new a striker this summer
Everything Chelsea says...
There’s little debate that Chelsea desperately need to sign a new striker this summer.
Jackson's absence has been a significant blow for the Blues, who have only won two of their last five Premier League games without him. Aside from a 4-0 victory over Southampton, they've also struggled in front of goal.
The Senegalese striker, however, was already struggling before his injury, while Marc Guiu, despite his obvious potential, is still too inexperienced to lead the line in the Premier League.
Signing a new striker should be Maresca’s top priority before next season, whether as a back-up for Jackson or as someone to compete with him for the starting spot.
While the logical choice seems to be a back-up, how Jackson finishes the season could influence that decision. If he ends the season strong, a back-up striker would likely be the most realistic option.
However, if he struggles as he did after the New Year, Chelsea might want to consider bringing in a competitor – someone like Viktor Gyökeres, perhaps?
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