Chelsea urged to agree three January deals to save Maresca's job

Cameron Smith

• 30 Dec 2025 03:16 CST
• 3 min read

Nieuws

Premier League legend Alan Shearer has pinpointed the three positions Chelsea must address in 2026 if they want to challenge for the English top flight title again.

The Blues were expected to compete with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City this season, following their triumph at the Club World Cup, but an inconsistent run of results has seen them slip away from contention.

Chelsea are now fifth in the Premier League table and they are a whopping 13 points behind league leaders Arsenal after 18 matches.

Rumours have suggested that Enzo Maresca’s position at Stamford Bridge is under threat amid the club’s current downturn in form and Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior has been heavily linked with the job in recent days.

Chelsea fans have largely blamed the club’s sporting directors for their woes so far this campaign, due to a poor summer transfer window in which they failed to improve their first-team squad, although Maresca has taken heat for his in-game tactical decisions.

It has been reported that Chelsea are unlikely to spend big in January, however Shearer believes the club must address three key areas next month.

Alan Shearer issues Chelsea transfer message

“I think they’re [Chelsea] lacking a top-class No.9 and a top-class centre-half, I think, as well,” Shearer told The Rest is Football podcast.

“I’m not saying that [Joao] Pedro and [Liam] Delap can’t do it, but I think to get to that elite level and challenge for the Premier League, then I would say they’d probably need a top class centre-forward and centre-half.

“Maybe a goalkeeper… I’ve never been convinced with Chelsea that they can win the league.”

It’s understood that Chelsea are likely to heed Shearer’s advice by signing a new centre-back in 2026, although early reports suggest they may stick with Robert Sanchez and talented youngster Mike Penders as their goalkeeper options.

In addition, the club have already agreed a deal for Emmanuel Emegha to arrive from Strasbourg next summer and he is expected to become Chelsea’s starting centre forward in 2026-27.

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