Chelsea must change their recruitment approach this summer to become title challengers, according to Danny Murphy.
The former Liverpool midfielder believes Enzo Maresca’s current squad does not have what it takes to be contenders next season.
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Maresca guided the Blues back into the Champions League this season following a fourth-place finish.
Their win at Nottingham Forest on the final day ensured a return to the competition for the first time since 2023.
Chelsea could still cap off their campaign with silverware on Wednesday night.
The Blues face Real Betis in the Conference League final in Wroclaw, Poland.
However, Murphy believes changes to the squad must be made if the club are going to kick on next season.
Speaking on the Kick Off, the talkSPORT co-host explained: “Now the question is for Chelsea to be Premier League contenders and Champions League contenders.
“Is he the man that’s going to take them there? Or if he is, are they going to break their normal routine or procedures in terms of recruitment and get two or three more experienced guys in who can help the others because that will help the manager. I think they need to do one.”
Chelsea had the youngest average starting line-up in Premier League history this season at 24 years and 36 days.
Murphy added: “I think it’s unlikely but they are your two options or because as far as I’m concerned although Chelsea players are improving they’ve got a good decent talented squad that is not a Premier League-winning team.”
The Blues ended the campaign 15 points adrift of champions Liverpool.
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When asked if the experience of this season will add to Chelsea’s title credentials, he responded: “No.
“Because what we have to remember as well is that when a manager is in his first job in the Premier League and working things out as he goes, which he has to because he hasn’t done it before and working out his players.
“Other managers and coaches and other teams are working him out and them out. There’s no surprise with Chelsea now.”
Chelsea are already set to welcome a trio of new signings to Stamford Bridge this summer.
The arrivals of Estevao, Dario Essugo and Kendry Paez have already been confirmed.
However, all three players are aged 20 or younger, with Estevao and Paez both 18-years-old.
The Blues have not won the Premier League since their sixth league title in 2017.
In the eight seasons since, their best finish has been third in both the 2018/19 and 2021/22 campaigns.
