Premier League legend outlines who Chelsea must buy this summer

Sky Sports pundit and former Arsenal star Paul Merson insists Chelsea must sign both a defender and a striker this summer if they are to mount a challenge for the Premier League next season.

The Blues finished fifth in the league last term, although managed to salvage what was an otherwise poor season with an FA Cup trophy – they beat Manchester United in the final last week.

After failing to qualify for the Champions League for the second time in three seasons, it is widely expected manager Antonio Conte will be relieved of his duties at the club, with the Blues reportedly already lining up recently fired Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri as his replacement.

Merson however believes the heart of the club’s problems last term lied not with the manager, and instead in a lack a quality in their squad – an issue they must resolve over the coming months in the transfer window.

“I wouldn’t say Chelsea need a new manager because Antonio Conte is one of the best in the world but I do think he will leave and I just think it needs to be done sooner rather than later,” Merson told Sky Sports.

“Arsenal have done their business right as Unai Emery has now got time to improve his squad.

“Chelsea need to get it done quickly because if they don’t get players in they won’t win anything as anyone who comes in won’t be better than Conte.

“I think they need strengthening at the back with a centre-half and another forward.

“I’m a big fan of Alvaro Morata’s but I just don’t know whether he’s up to the Premier League week-in, week-out so I think they’ll sell him and get another striker in.

“Olivier Giroud has proven to be a great buy but I’d like to see another forward in.

“I’d like to see Robert Lewandoski but without Champions League football the price would have to be right.”