Chelsea need to sign a new centre-back during the January transfer window, believes Jamie Redknapp, who feels a Premier League star would be a good candidate for the role.
The Blues were beaten 3-2 by Arsenal in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
Ben White, Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi scored the goals for the Gunners, while substitute Alejandro Garnacho netted twice for the home side.
The former Manchester United winger was clearly a bright spot for Liam Rosenior’s side, as was Estevao on the opposite flank.
However, Redknapp believes they are lacking experience in central defence, which is costing them at the elite level.
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Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana started at centre-back on Wednesday night, while Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile came off the bench.
Speaking on Sky Sports, the former England midfielder said: ‘I honestly think they need to try and get someone in the window, a centre-back. I think it’s important for them.
‘I think they need another one and not just another body, another elite player. And it’s not going to be easy. But if there’s anybody they can get in, that’s an area they need to strengthen.’
That is not all, though, with Redknapp suggesting goalkeeper Robert Sanchez must be upgraded after mistakes for both the White and Gyokeres goals.
‘People will obviously talk about the keeper who’s made two ricks tonight, so that’s another area they’ve got to look at,’ he said.
Redknapp thinks the Blues need an experienced head at centre-back, but accepts that bringing in a world class defender with experience in January is tricky.
‘I think they need to sprinkle some experience into the mix,’ he said. ‘You can’t get Thiago Silvas because they’re almost unicorns those guys but somebody that can just add a little bit of experience when things are going against you. Somebody who’s going to organise, somebody who’s going to talk.
‘You can’t find John Terrys, they’re not available anymore, they just don’t exist, but someone who can just give you a bit of authority.
‘It’s been done before. Liverpool signed Virgil [van Dijk] and it changed everything for them.’
The prospect of signing Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi was mooted, with the England defender out of contract at the end of the season and the Eagles potentially tempted to cash in on him this month.
‘He’s a wonderful player, very, very good centre-half,’ said Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink of a player who came through the youth ranks at Chelsea. ‘I don’t know if they’d be looking at him but they will know him.’
Guehi is wanted by a string of top clubs on a free transfer in the summer, but Redknapp says he may be tempted to move now and not risk waiting.
‘In the summer if he waits he’s going to get all of the money,’ said the ex-Liverpool star. ‘If he were to risk it and god forbid he gets an injury, that’s the risk you’re playing with.
‘I don’t know if Crystal Palace will want to sell him, at least you’d get something out of it, but that’s the sort of quality you want. A player who can really lead and has vast experience in the Premier League.’
