Chelsea must replicate £156m signings to counter Liverpool’s takeover and address Neville’s criticism regarding Arsenal.

Chelsea are currently “miles away” from contending for the Premier League title, but that could change if they succeed in hijacking Liverpool’s pursuit of Marc Guehi.

This season has been a tumultuous one for Chelsea.

Head coach Enzo Maresca faced serious calls for dismissal, but an improvement in form positioned the Blues as Arsenal’s key challengers in the Premier League — though they stumbled at Elland Road on Wednesday night.

Chelsea's campaign has been marked by significant ups and downs, and their inconsistency along with issues in crucial positions may hinder their chances of claiming a major trophy this season.

Gary Neville has stated that Chelsea’s squad is lacking, suggesting they must prioritize acquiring a new centre-back and goalkeeper as they are “miles away” from title contention.

Regarding the centre-back role, former Chelsea player Joe Cole emphasized that the club should strongly consider Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi.

“Marc Guehi would be someone you bang the doors down for to sign. He is someone who can come in and help the young group, he knows the club inside out,” Cole remarked to Paddy Power.

“It’s a no-brainer, but Chelsea might not pursue this, given the club's current strategy of targeting younger players,” he added.

“I personally don’t favor signing players in January, as even after the Leeds defeat, Chelsea are performing where they should, nudging closer to title contenders like Arsenal and Man City.”

“It’s not enough to perform well against Arsenal with ten men; they also need to deliver results against teams like Leeds if they aim for the title,” he continued.

“That’s just factual. Starting at Elland Road, with the historical context and the style of play promoted by Daniel Farke, recovering from 2-0 is incredibly challenging.”

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Guehi is among several Premier League players expected to transfer in 2026 as he nears the end of his contract, with speculation surrounding a possible move to Liverpool in January or the summer.

Though Guehi has been linked to various clubs, it's perplexing that Chelsea hasn't been named in the conversation regarding the centre-back over the last year.

The 25-year-old may not align perfectly with Chelsea’s transfer model, but the club has shown willingness to adapt for key players, as evidenced by their pursuit of Mike Maignan. Acquiring the England international would be a practical move considering his quality and market value.

Chelsea previously secured the signings of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia from Liverpool for approximately £156m, and they should aim to replicate this success with Guehi, as he could be the crucial addition needed to enhance their title challenge and address Neville’s criticisms.