Paul Merson has revealed the two signings Chelsea need to make to become a ‘major force’ in the Premier League next season.
Frank Lampard has enjoyed an impressive first season in charge of the Blues, with the club currently fourth in the Premier League.
Lampard is set to welcome Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner to Stamford Bridge this summer but Merson reckons Chelsea still need to sign two defenders to become title contenders.
The Arsenal legend told Sky Sports: ‘I think Chelsea need a left-back, and they might need another centre-half, and then they’ll be a major force next season.
‘I don’t think they’ll win the Premier League next season, but the gap won’t be as big.
‘They mean business. The owner has been brilliant; he’s weighed it up and gone – bang! Here’s your money.
‘He’s looked at the situation and thought, “Tottenham are struggling, Pep Guardiola won’t be at City forever”, and he’s trying to get into the top four, close the gap and challenge when they have their chance.
‘With Liverpool putting up records like they have with their players being as good as they are, it’s only a matter of time before the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid come calling.
‘In three or four years, I’d be quite shocked if Chelsea don’t win the Premier League.’
Chelsea have dropped points to a number of lesser teams this season but Merson believes Lampard has learnt valuable lessons throughout the year and will be a better manager for the experience.
‘Those odd results against lesser teams were a show of inexperience from Frank at the time,’ Merson added.
‘Coming into a big club like Chelsea, he wanted to entertain in those games he lost. He was thinking, “I better entertain the man behind the goal”.
‘When you’re an experienced manager you know you can’t do that against teams who defend deep all the time. But now, he’s getting better, he’s making big decisions now during games.’
Chelsea will hope to consolidate their place in the top-four on Wednesday evening when they travel across London to face West Ham.
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