Former Chelsea star Claude Makelele has shared his opinion on what the club needs to become contenders for major honours next season. The Blues are set to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup this summer before returning to the UEFA Champions League for the first time in three years next season.
Chelsea finished the season very strongly under Enzo Maresca , securing a fourth place finish in the Premier League and with it, a place in the Champions League. In an interview, former midfielder Makelele pointed out where reinforcements are needed to take the club to the next level. He said (via BBC Sport);
The Blues have already made moves to strengthen their squad this summer, signing 22-year-old striker Liam Delap from Ipswich Town. The Englishman will compete for a starting berth in the USA with Nicolas Jackson during the Club World Cup, and they are still in for another striker.
With Jadon Sancho having been sent back to Manchester United after his loan spell, the Blues have also tried to sign Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund. Brazilian youngster Estevao Willian will join them after the Club World Cup, giving them more options out wide.
Maresca’s side made an attempt to sign AC Milan star Mike Maignan but failed to meet his valuation with the Italian club. Highly-rated teenage star Mike Penders will be with them at the Club World Cup, but they are expected to make another move to sign Maignan this summer. The Blues are likely to sign players in each of the positions mentioned by Makelele by the end of the summer and could challenge for honours next season.
Chelsea have given teenage star Mike Penders the number 39 shirt for their FIFA Club World Cup campaign, naming him in the official squad. The Belgian youngster joins the club this summer, having spent the 2024-25 season at Genk after securing a transfer last summer.
Penders will be one of four goalkeepers available to Enzo Maresca in the USA alongside Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, and Gabriel Slonina. The teenager is expected to get a chance to impress Maresca as the club are not eager for him to spend a long time out on loan.
Mike Penders made 26 senior appearances for Genk during the 2024-25 season, keeping seven clean sheets. The Belgium U-19 international will hope to emulate Thibaut Courtois in making a name for himself in Chelsea colours.
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