Chelsea must recruit for the present – Talk Chelsea

We all know we are in a hideous place right now, and we have once again all been debating as to why this is – a huge number of reasons.

But what the club must do now is concentrate on moving us forwards and to do that, we first and foremost need a big squad clear out, but we also need to add in a new spine to this team, and it is SO important that they get this right now.

I love seeing top young players come in for the future and there was apparently another one added yesterday in the shape of Alex Matos from Norwich City. This is all well and good, even though I also worry about our own academy too, but we also need to sign for the here and now.

Understand Chelsea have completed Alex Matos signing — documents and contracts sealed in the last 24h. ?? #CFC

U-18 talent born in 2004, Matos joins from Norwich on free transfer with add-ons; part of Jim Fraser project, pushing for signing to build top U21 squad. pic.twitter.com/1t1c6twvYo

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 3, 2023

For me, when profiling players and potential targets for the new spine of our team, as well as running the data, we must also look at the players mentality, leadership skills, and experience, and most importantly, Premier League experience. I think that is going to be so important when selecting our new spine.

We need to target players who are not old, but who are already fairly experienced in the Premier League, and in European football. That is the profile of player I think we truly need.

I’m not saying don’t sign another player from outside of the Premier League, but we cannot afford to wait on players to adapt when signing for our spine. We need ready-made players in those positions who are used to the physicality and speed of the Premier League, because it is a league like no other.

These players need to be ready now, full of confidence and self-belief, and they need to come in already knowing all about this league and the opponents they will be facing. I think that’s THE most important trait to be looking for this summer. We cannot take risks when selecting our next defensive midfielder and striker.

The absolute dream for me would be Declan Rice and Harry Kane (huge pipe dream), and I’d even be looking at James Maddison if Leicester go down and there is a bargain to be had.

I’d even be looking at him regardless if Mason Mount and Joao Felix both go, and maybe even still if only one goes. I think we lack a player like Maddison who can do it all in attack.

For goalkeeper I don’t think it’s perhaps AS important to be Premier League experienced, but I genuinely think we need someone with a strong mentality and leadership – Mike Maignan would be my dream choice.

Those are not necessarily the realistic choices for me, and Ivan Toney would be more realistic as a striker but depending on his ban. Rice is certainly gettable though.

People might moan that I am largely only selecting English players, but for me I don’t even look at nationalities when looking at players I want, I am looking at quality, personality, and whether they are Premier League experienced or not. That is the criteria I look at for our new spine at least. I don’t care if said player from that criteria is from England, Ukraine, or wherever, that is the criteria I want to see us targeting for our spine alone. Not all over the pitch, but for our spine.

I just think that where we are right now, this is really what we need – ready-made players. If we want to challenge for trophies again as early as next season, these are the profiles we need for our spine, in my humble opinion.