Chelsea need Champions League-calibre transfers ahead of Round of 16

Chelsea are through to the Champions League Round of 16. The level of competition they will face speaks to the quality of transfers they must sign.

Frank Lampard has achieved the target of reaching the UEFA Champions League knockout stage. Chelsea finished second behind Valencia, leaving the champions of Spain, Italy, France and Germany among the potential opponents. The remaining, “lesser” side is RB Leipzig, who are hardly pushovers themselves.

Two years ago Chelsea was at a similar stage. After finishing second in their group behind Roma, they faced Barcelona in the Round of 16. The Spanish giants were able to dispatch Chelsea quite comfortably. Fans might claim on social media they want the likes of Barcelona or Juventus for the midweek January clashes, but in reality, Chelsea are no match for those sides.

Even a struggling West Ham managed to shut Frank Lampard’s side at Stamford Bridge to take three Premier League points. That would be the same West Ham who failed to win their subsequent matches against Wolves and Arsenal, the same Arsenal who were without a win since early October until their big victory over Chelsea’s vanquishers.

The Court of Arbitration for Sports’s decision to rescind the transfer ban has come at the ideal time for Frank Lampard’s die. He has several positions that need strengthening. The board needs to make sure the signings possess the potential to elevate the team. They cannot go through another series of Tiemoue Bakayoko, Danny Drinkwater and any other you care to remember.

One of the paramount concerns is the defence. The Blues are shipping goals in almost every match. Hardly a game goes by without absurd mistakes or a lack of concentration from the center backs. Kepa Arrizabalaga’s lack of saves is not helping either. Lille’s goal was yet another example of Arrizabalaga watching the ball go in. It is a critical issue that need addressing, either in the from of a better goalkeeping coach or actual competition in the squad.

Kurt Zouma has come a long way since the first match of the season. Yet for all his improvements, there are many drawbacks to his performances. His lack of awareness has caused Chelsea’s backline enough troubles. Last month saw Zouma and Fikayo Tomori passing the ball between each other when Chelsea needed to be up the pitch creating a goal multiple times.

Even Tomori, who had impressed the most in the center back role, has also made silly mistakes. Unlike Zouma, this is his maiden season in the top flight.

Andreas Christensen, for all his brilliance and ability to read the game, sometimes lacks the strength the English game demands. Antonio Rudiger’s return is a welcome sign, but he, too, experienced enough poor moments last season at the back.

A lot of attackers have been linked ahead of the window. The lack of goals apart from Tammy Abraham and Christian Pulisic could see Chelsea making a move up front. Mason Mount has slowed down since the beginning of the season, and Callum Hudson-Odoi has been comparatively poor since his first few games back from injury. And even though Willian is playing better, his awful decision-making in the box cost Chelsea points against Everton.

Chelsea have enough positions that could be improved with additions. But whatever signings they make need to have the potential to produce a significant impact. Otherwise they will not help the team and will stunt the growth of Chelsea’s youngsters.