Emmanuel Petit believes that the impending signing of Liam Delap does not fix the ‘biggest problem’ within Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea side.
Chelsea moved quickly to secure a deal for Delap when the striker’s £30million release clause was activated following Ipswich Tow’s relegation from the Premier League.
The 22-year-old, who scored 12 goals in his first top-flight season, also had interest from Manchester United but has opted for a move to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea will hope Delap’s arrival can boost their striking options given the inconsistencies seen from both Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku throughout last season.
Jackson scored just 10 league goals in what proved an injury-affected campaign for the Senegalese international, while Nkunku looks destined for an exit, having started just league nine games all season.
Get personalised updates on Chelsea every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
But while former Arsenal midfielder Petit believes the signing of Delap goes no way to solving what is currently Chelsea’s biggest problem within their squad.
‘I don’t think Liam Delap will be the solution,’ he told talkSPORT. ‘If you look at the top teams, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and their wingers, those players make the difference all the time.
‘Most people are focusing on the number nine at Chelsea but for me the biggest problem is the wingers.
‘They are not bringing what you need to compete against the big teams in Europe and the Premier League. They need to get a lot more assists and goals as well and they have to be a bigger danger on the pitch.
‘The way Chelsea play, if you don’t have those wingers carrying danger all the time with the ball and putting defenders under pressure, then forget it. You will always be focusing on the striker but the striker depends on the wingers as well.’
Chelsea’s current options aren’t good enough’
Chelsea have already passed up on the opportunity to sign Jadon Sancho permanently from United, while the Blues will also look to offload Raheem Sterling following his unsuccessful loan spell at Arsenal.
Mykhailo Mudryk’s future is similarly up in the air following his positive doping test, and Chelsea are also set to entertain offers for Noni Madueke despite his bright end to the season.
‘For me they are not good enough,’ added Petit when asked about Chelsea’s current options in wide areas.
‘They are good players but I think there is something in their mind that is stopping them from reaching the next steps.
‘People have been focusing for years on a big number nine but if I remember well, Chelsea have won Champions Leagues and Premier Leagues with a strong number nine but the wingers were amazing well.
‘This is for me the biggest problem at Chelsea right now.’
Chelsea are already looking to make additions in wide areas and have reportedly opened talks to sign Borussia Dortmund youngster Jamie Gittens.
The Englishman is keen on a move away from the Bundesliga club and could be available for a fee in the region of £50m.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.