Ex-Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel claims he can see his former club “competing” for the Premier League title next year if they make the right decisions in the transfer market this summer.

The Nigerian believes some key additions to the first-team squad will be required for the Blues to challenge at the top of the table:

“If we get world-class signings in the summer, a striker, goalkeeper etc, then I see us competing to win the Premier League title.”

Enzo Maresca’s side are trailing behind the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal in the league this season but Mikel says he doesn’t think his former team should be too concerned about the Gunners:

“Arsenal won’t win it, they’ll bottle it like they always do.”

Where do Chelsea need to improve the squad?

Mikel is keen for the club to recruit a top class goalkeeper and the vast majority of fans would agree with that sentiment. Neither Robert Sanchez nor Filip Jorgensen have won over supporters with their performances.

Bringing in a forward who can consistently score 20+ goals a season would also help Maresca’s team. There is no doubt that they have underperformed in front of goal over the course of this campaign so signing a clinical striker should be a top priority. Many would also agree that purchasing an experienced, authoritative centre-half would help the club improve at the back.

What positions are the club actually targeting?

Trusted journalist Fabrizio Romano says Chelsea’s recruitment team are focused on buying a striker, a midfielder and a left-winger.

That doesn’t precisely align with what Mikel and the fans want. If the Blues don’t buy a new keeper, especially, it would greatly reduce their chances of competing for silverware in upcoming seasons.

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