Chelsea’s Premier League campaign has taken a sharp downturn, and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes he knows why. Speaking on The Overlap US, Carragher criticized the club’s reliance on Robert Sanchez in goal and Nicolas Jackson up front, arguing that neither is at the level required for a title-winning team.
Nicolas Jackson (Photo Credit: Getty)
At one point earlier in the season, Chelsea looked like they could make a run for the title alongside Liverpool and Arsenal. However, a significant drop in form has left them 13 points off the top, and their focus has now shifted to securing Champions League qualification.
Carragher, however, was never convinced:
“I never thought they could win the league at any stage because of the goalkeeper and the center forward—they’re not at the level. The center-backs aren’t either.”
Robert Sanchez (Photo Credit: Getty)
Sanchez, who was recently dropped by Enzo Maresca, has made more errors leading to goals than any other Premier League goalkeeper this season. Meanwhile, Jackson has found the net just once since December, leaving Chelsea struggling in front of goal.
Currently sitting fourth in the table, two points ahead of Manchester City, Chelsea must hold on to secure Champions League football next season. Anything less, Carragher warns, would be catastrophic:
“If they don’t get Champions League football next season, having been there for a couple of years and spent that amount of money, that’s a disaster.”
The Blues have also been eliminated from both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, with their latest disappointment coming in a 2-1 defeat to Brighton. They’ll face the same opponents in their next Premier League match on Friday, where £32m signing Jackson is expected to return from injury.
With mounting pressure on the club’s hierarchy, Chelsea will need a strong finish to the season to avoid what Carragher calls an “unacceptable” failure.
