CHELSEA face Manchester City in the Premier League and on paper there really is nothing between the two.
Frank Lampard has his side sitting third in the league, one point and one place ahead of the reigning Premier League champions.
Lampard must improve four areas in a bid to compete with Liverpool and City
But this doesn’t tell the full story.
Although Lampard has got Chelsea playing some great football at times, most supporters and pundits will admit they are currently over-achieving.
Personally I expected a tough challenge this season and getting top four would have been a success along with a solid domestic cup run.
But so far they are exceeding expectations and are level on points with second-placed Leicester and still within reach of Liverpool at the top.
Make no mistake though, Lampard will be looking to add players to his squad when the transfer ban is lifted – and he needs to.
His young guns are doing very well and most of them have a big and important future at the club.
But for Chelsea to compete with the best again, they need to add some quality in certain areas,and these players have to be ready made with proven quality.
LEFT-BACK
Marcos Alonso needs to be replaced in the coming monthsCredit: AP:Associated Press
Chelsea will lose Marcos Alonso, probably in the summer.
He will not be content playing second fiddle to Emerson, and he isn’t good enough to compete with him.
It will be up to Lampard as to whether he seeks a better backup than Alonso or whether he looks to bring someone in who has the quality to directly compete with Emerson.
After all, competition is healthy and needed at this level.
STRIKER
Chelsea need back-up or even competition for Tammy AbrahamCredit: EPA
Lampard will need to make a similar decision in this area.
Does he bring someone in to backup the in-form and high scoring Tammy Abraham, or does he bring in a world-class forward to compete with Abraham, likely reducing his game time emphatically?
Either way, this will be an area that will need reinforcements, at least one, maybe two.
Olivier Giroud will be off in January, and Michy Batshuayi will probably leave in the summer, unless he somehow manages to oust Abraham in the latter half of the season.
WINGER
Chelsea will probably need to replace both Pedro and Willian next summerCredit: Reuters
The most important area to invest in and probably the one they will need to spend the highest in.
Pedro and Willian are both ageing and could both end up leaving in the summer. The Spaniard almost certainly will.
That just leaves Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic, with most top clubs having three or four strong options.
Chelsea might even need to bring in two wide-men and at least one must world-class.
CENTRE-BACK
Chelsea must bolster their defensive ranks, with Christensen set to quitCredit: AP:Associated Press
This is probably the most debatable area, but it is very dependent on form, injuries, and morale of the defenders who aren’t being picked as much.
We know Lampard doesn’t want any player at the club who doesn’t want to be there, and just like with David Luiz, if you show any signs of wanting out you will go.
So I do fear for Andreas Christensen, and even Antonio Rudiger, who appears to be getting more injury prone.
Chelsea have Marc Guehi coming through from the academy who looks like the real deal, but even still, they could end up needing to bring another centre back in as extra quality competition.
The midfield is set, as is the right-back area for now – but the heart of defence needs work.
This Saturday’s Premier league sees West Ham take on Tottenham and Manchester City v Chelsea
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
