Keith Wyness has ‘big question mark’ over Chelsea’s pursuit of Jeremy Jacquet
Chelsea’s transfer strategy is all wrong as the club need to focus on bringing experienced players to Stamford Bridge.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who is “surprised” that Chelsea are pursuing defender Jeremy Jacquet.
Jacquet is also on Liverpool’s radar, as the 20-year-old has impressed during his time at Ligue 1 side Rennes.
Chelsea have yet to make a January signing under manager Liam Rosenior, with the Blues currently sixth in the Premier League table.
Chelsea strategy questioned by expert
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – can’t understand why Chelsea are looking to sign another young player.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks the club are not “listening to football people.“
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “You’re absolutely right. I mean, it was a big question mark for me when I saw that. I thought, another one?
“It’s like, you know, it’s like a collection of young, talented players there that they’ve got. And it just doesn’t seem right. The accusation that is levelled at them, as you say, is not having the experience in the squad that can knit the youth together and bring them forward into a really competitive team to try and challenge in the Premier League.
“That’s been clear for quite a while. And it still smacks of having a business model that they’re following slavishly rather than listening to football people and understanding that they’ve got to have that experience in there. And so, yes, I was surprised.”
Napoli join Raheem Sterling race
Chelsea want to offload 31-year-old Raheem Sterling, and the forward could now join Napoli in order to leave Stamford Bridge.
Napoli have shown interest in taking Sterling, with former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte in charge of the Italian club.
Sterling’s high wages may still be an obstacle to overcome, with many Premier League clubs not willing to meet his demands.