Chelsea hero Frank Leboeuf has told the club that their season is effectively over - and has urged owner Todd Boehly to splash the cash on a number of new signings to prepare for the 2023/24 campaign.
Chelsea spent big in the summer, with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana amongst others joining the club following the Boehly-led takeover. The cash-laden American then sacked Thomas Tuchel and appointed Graham Potter, who started well but Chelsea's form tailed off before the World Cup break.
With Chelsea in eighth place and fixtures against Manchester City and Liverpool on the horizon, Leboeuf believes his former club should consider the current campaign a write off. The ex-France defender wants the Blues to focus on snapping up talent such as Christopher Nkunku and Josko Gvardiol as a way of wiping the slate clean going into next season.
READ MORE: What happened in Chelsea win vs Brentford hints at huge Graham Potter change against Bournemouth
"I think Chelsea’s season is effectively already over," Leboeuf told Safe Betting Sites. "They can’t win the title, they can’t compete with Manchester City that’s for sure. We have to respect Arsenal also even if I think Man City will finish top of the league.
"I don’t even see Chelsea finishing in the top four because of the way they were playing. I think we have to give time to Potter to rebuild something, and to correct all the errors that they made in terms of signing players.
“I won’t name names but for sure you have to get rid of some players in order to make room for others. And that’s what they must do next summer. Let’s call this season a blank season and prepare for next year with Nkunku, Gvardiol and some others."
Leboeuf suggested two France World Cup stars should be targets for Chelsea, adding: "Randal Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram are both very talented players who play for good teams, but not top teams and if Chelsea can target those players, that would be great."
Work has already been underway ahead of the next two transfers windows and football.london understands Nkunku has signed a pre-contract agreement with Chelsea to move to the club from RB Leipzig.
READ NEXT:
The addition Todd Boehly and Chelsea still want to make following Christopher Vivell appointment
Christopher Vivell's one-word answer shows why Todd Boehly went for new Chelsea transfer guru
Chelsea forward Armando Broja confirms he has undergone surgery on season-ending injury issue
Todd Boehly's 2023 Chelsea vision is clear after Christopher Vivell joins new-look team
Why Chelsea must repeat Christopher Nkunku transfer trick as Josko Gvardiol price tag revealed
