Shaun Wright-Phillips, a former Chelsea player, recently shared his thoughts on what position the club should prioritize in the upcoming January transfer window. Although Chelsea has been performing well under head coach Enzo Maresca, currently sitting second in the Premier League after 16 matches, Wright-Phillips believes there is one area that requires urgent attention.
While some football experts suggest that Chelsea should focus on acquiring a top striker, such as Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, or even replacing goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, Wright-Phillips takes a different stance. He argues that the club’s priority should be strengthening the defense, particularly by signing an experienced centre-back.
Wright-Phillips explained that while adding Osimhen would undoubtedly be a significant boost to Chelsea’s attacking options, the striker position should not be Chelsea’s primary concern at this time. He pointed out that the club recently lost veteran defender Thiago Silva, but failed to adequately replace him. This, according to Wright-Phillips, has left a gap in the team’s defense that needs urgent addressing. Chelsea’s problem is not scoring goals but rather conceding unnecessary ones.
Wright-Phillips went on to highlight that Chelsea has been scoring goals relatively well this season, but their defensive lapses have been a major issue. He emphasized that if Chelsea could resolve these defensive errors, it would transform the team’s overall performance. By tightening up at the back, the Blues could become a much more formidable side, especially given their strong attacking play.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has also expressed concerns about the team’s defensive frailties, despite their solid start to the season. Maresca has made it clear that Chelsea is still not ready to challenge for the Premier League title, acknowledging that successful title-winning teams do not concede goals in the manner Chelsea has.
Shaun Wright-Phillips recently criticized a Chelsea player for his poor performance in a match against Everton, particularly highlighting his disappointing record of losing 65% of duels, with 5 out of 10 duels lost.After their 2-1 win over Brentford, Maresca remarked that defensive improvements are crucial. He stated that, despite the club’s progress, they must cut out the defensive mistakes if they are to challenge for the top honors.
As the January transfer window approaches, strengthening the defense, particularly by acquiring a seasoned centre-back, seems to be the most pressing need for Chelsea. This move would address their defensive issues and could potentially enhance their chances of competing for the title in the future.
While bolstering their attack with players like Osimhen might be exciting, Wright-Phillips firmly believes that improving the defense should take precedence for Chelsea. With their current strong form this season, focusing on solidifying the defense could be the key to sustained success.