Steve McManaman, Glenn Hoddle and Joleon Lescott are holding judgement on Chelsea's chances in the UEFA Champions League this season until the transfer window shuts. Thomas Tuchel has been in the market for a new striker this summer following the departures of Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner.
And, until the Blues welcome a new number nine to Stamford Bridge, the trio are reluctant to tip the west Londoners for great success in the competition. Speaking to BT Sport amid broadcasting of the Champions League group stage draw, McManaman, Glenn Hoddle, and Joleon Lescott were in agreement that Chelsea must sign a striker to remain competitive with Europe's leading sides.
The former Liverpool midfielder kickstarted the discussion and said: "When I look at them, they have an array of talent, and I hold my judgement until the end of the transfer window, but they need a striker."
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Hoddle agreed but claimed that Todd Boehly will also have to find a sufficient replacement for Antonio Rudiger. The former Chelsea midfielder said: "Yes, they do need a number nine, and then I think you can assess their chances. I think it is stupid to say they have got a great squad, and if they go deep, I don't think they have a better squad than last year.
"The way [Antonio] Rudiger played, somebody, coming in and picking the reins up like he did last season," Hoddle added. "They have lost him, but they will be there or thereabouts in the Premier League and in the Champions League, but the pressure is on them and the players and the manager and the new owners that they can go on and win it."
Singing from the same hymn sheet, Lescott added by detailing the difference between Chelsea and Spurs. The former Manchester City defender said: "The expectation is the same even though the ownership has changed, it's different at Spurs.
"But in regards to their squad, I don't think they are as strong, and Rudiger is a massive loss for them, but we will see if there is any more movement in the transfer window because it is needed."
With two strikers and Rudiger out of the picture in west London, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Wesley Fofana have been heavily linked with moves to Chelsea. football.london understand that the former and the latter have been subject to bids from the Blues.
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