Chelsea may forcing themselves into the title race, but Troy Deeney believes a glaring issue ‘is going to cost them’ down the track.
Goals from Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez helped the Blues to their sixth win of the season as they beat Leicester City 2-1 in the early kick-off on Saturday.
The result kept the Blues in third spot but took their points tally to 22, one behind second-placed Manchester City and six behind league leaders Liverpool, who both have a game in hand.
Although Chelsea‘s Premier League season is just 12 games old, Deeney felt the Blues, at present, are a warranted presence in the title conversation.
However, the former Watford striker pointed out they will never take the next step of becoming title contenders until a drastic change is made.
“Yeah, right now they should be looking at [the title race],” Deeney told talkSPORT.
“But I still think that goalkeeper [Robert Sanchez] and the defenders keep letting in poor goals.
“That should have been an easy 2-0 win, if not a 3-0 win today. Just open at the back today and I think that’s why they have to go for top four right now.
“Unless in January they go out and get a couple of signings, that backline is going to cost them.”
Should Chelsea heed Deeney’s call for more signings in January, it would mean the Blues will add to their £197million transfer outlay from the summer.
A staggering 11 players came through the door at Stamford Bridge in the summer, including goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen and centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo.
However, Jorgensen has had to make do with a spot on the bench behind incumbent no. 1 Robert Sanchez, while Adarabioyo has started twice in the Premier League this season.
But given Chelsea finished sixth last term, a goal of finishing in the top four may be more appropriate than trying to convince themselves they are in the title race.
They will also need to beat teams like Leicester comprehensively if they want to be seen as title contenders too.
Leicester had lost two of their last three Premier League fixtures and although they carved out an expected goals (xG) figure of 1.11 to Chelsea’s 2.64, Steve Cooper’s side had their moments.
Kasey McAteer had a shot fly just wide of the upright in the first half while Wilfred Ndidi scuffed an attempt inside the box.
However, Chelsea made the Foxes pay when it mattered most and, as Deeney pointed out, should have scored more than two.
Early in the second half, Cole Palmer looked like he’d double the Blues’ advantage, but his low shot was blocked by Noni Madueke.
Madueke tried to jump clear of Palmer’s low strike but couldn’t get his foot out of the way.
Maresca knows his side cannot afford to miss many golden chances like that against better teams as tougher tests in the top flight await.
Speaking after the game the Blues boss said: “For me [Jackson] is doing very well. Since we started, he is working hard on and off the ball.
“He is making the effort. Sometimes we use him as a midfielder or attacking behind, it depends on the game plan.
“We are very happy with Nico with how he plays on the ball and especially off the ball. We are sure he will improve.”
On Malo Gusto and Pedro Neto, who were both absent from the matchday squad, Maresca added: “Malo was with us but during the night he did not feel well.
“Pedro was a problem with the national team, there was a chance but we did not take any risk. Hopefully he can be with us next week.”
