Chelsea need Haaland among duo to replace veterans – Johnson

Former Chelsea star Glen Johnson has named the two signing Thomas Tuchel needs to make to turn the Blues into title contenders next season.

The German boss will reportedly be handed significant funds to improve the squad in the summer after an impressive start to his Stamford Bridge tenure.


Champions League winners and losers


Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid extended Chelsea’s unbeaten run under Tuchel to eight games.

It was Olivier Giroud’s stunning acrobatic effort that secured the victory and Johnson believes the team are currently too reliant on veterans like the Frenchman and Thiago Silva and has urged Tuchel to sign younger replacements.

“I think they need a top, younger centre half and they need a top striker,” Johnson told Metro.

“Obviously they’ve spent a lot of money in the wide areas and in midfield. I think they’re a far better side with Giroud and he’s the guy that they’ve been trying to get out of the door for the last few years. It shows you that they’ve tried to replace him and haven’t managed to do so.

“I think a top striker is the main thing. Giroud is 34 now so there’s only so much he can do.

“The same stands at centre-half because Thiago Silva is different class but his body can’t cope with the Premier League every week.”

Roman Abramovich reportedly wants to sign Erling Haaland ‘at all costs’ this summer and Johnson believes he would be an “ideal” signing.

“I think someone like Haaland would be ideal,” said Johnson.

“He’d be the perfect replacement for Giroud. He’s big, he’s quick, he’s powerful, he’s unbelievable in front of goal.

“Those sort of signings give a lift to the rest of the dressing room and it would be a real statement if they could pull it off.”

Chelsea had hoped that Timo Werner would be scoring goals at a similar rate to Haaland, but the young German has found it tough to adapt to the Premier League in his first season.

“I think he’s a threat,” Johnson said of Werner.

“He’s super quick, he’s direct. I think where he’s dropped in confidence, his decision-making has gone wrong.

“People underestimate the Premier League. It’s not easy for people to be playing in other leagues with a big reputation to turn up in the Premier League and hit the ground running – it’s not as easy as that.

“I think Werner will become a good player for them. He’s struggled at the moment but he’s still getting the chances, even if he’s missing.”

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