ONE goal in FIVE games! Chelsea in crisis after £600m transfer spend

James Shearman

• Updated: 18 Feb 2023 19:03 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea lost 1-0 to manager-less Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday as Graham Potter's struggles continue.

Potter made a bright start to life at Stamford Bridge, helping the Blues up the table and into the Champions League knockout rounds.

But they fell out of form prior to the World Cup break and looked to resurrect their season with record spending in the January transfer window.

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Chelsea spent over £300 million last month, taking this season's total to a staggering £600m. But there has been no improvement.

In fact, the Blues have gotten worse since adding the new talent to their first-team squad.

The west London club have won once in their last 10 games and are on course for one of their worst ever Premier League finishes.

What's the matter with Chelsea?

Chelsea's defence has actually been very good. They've conceded the same number of goals as Arsenal (23) in the Premier League.

The Blues' problem is their attack, scoring less than bottom-half sides Leeds, Leicester and Aston Villa and just once in their last five games in all competitions.

23 goals in 23 Premier League matches is abysmal for a team with so much quality in their side.

Many will point to Chelsea's lack of an out-and-out striker, which is a fair point.

Former Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been terrible, Armando Broja suffered a long-term injury and youngster David Datro Fofana is not ready.

Questions have to be asked to the recruitment team who spent £600m on new players and none of them being a world-class centre forward. But there is more to it than that.

Indeed, Blues fans will be quick to point out that Thomas Tuchel won the Champions League with a lesser squad than this.

The existing players have to be better at taking their chances. The likes of Joao Felix, Mason Mount and Kai Havertz are all capable of scoring a handful of goals but aren't.

Should Chelsea be competing for the Premier League title without an elite striker? No.

Should they be competing for a top four spot? Absolutely. Potter could be in trouble.