Olivier Giroud believes Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca may need to sign a new striker and a centre-back in next month’s January transfer window.
Former Chelsea striker Giroud doesn’t think his old club are Premier League title contenders just yet due to a lack of experience in the squad.
The Blues, who beat Everton on Saturday, are fourth in the Premier League table after 16 games this season, eight points behind leaders Arsenal.
Chelsea have one of the youngest squads in the top-flight with the club’s owners focused on recruiting stars with high potential on long-term deals.
The west Londoners signed two forwards in the summer, Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, but the former has been hindered by injuries while the latter looks better suited to playing as an attacking midfielder or second striker.
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Speaking on Sky Sports, Giroud said: ‘He (Maresca) needs a striker who is consistent. He needs to find a good player.
‘A player who will score goals every single week. He’s got so much talent in the room but I think he maybe needs more experience.
‘The squad is very young… Maybe he needs, or he feels he needs, one or two more players.
‘Maybe a centre-back and a No.9. But I do like Delap. If we give him some time I think he can be the type of striker to do the job.’
‘Chelsea need time before they can fight for title’
Giroud added: ‘I saw Chelsea performing at the Club World Cup and I’ve been really impressed with this team.
‘But to be honest with you, when you have so many young players… It’s different from when I was there back in the day.
‘They are doing a great job but I think they need some time to compete in the title race.’
Should Chelsea make bid for Victor Osimhen?
Meanwhile, a second former Chelsea star, William Gallas, believes Chelsea should make a bid for Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen has shined this season with 12 goals in 16 games for the Turkish side – six of those being scored across four Champions League matches.
‘To be honest, Chelsea, at the moment, I think they are missing one experienced player, and a player who can put Chelsea really on top for me is Victor Osimhen,’ Gallas told OLBG.
‘I wanted to see him sign for Chelsea. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. But yeah, my dream is to see him play for Chelsea because with his quality, I think he can adapt to Chelsea perfectly.’