Chelsea’s exciting transfers mean nothing if Kepa stays in place, says Jamie Carragher

Jamie Carragher cautioned that Chelsea’s exciting summer move “doesn’t mean a thing” if Frank Lampard can’t find a replacement for Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The Blues are on track to qualify for next season’s Champions League and Lampard appears to be building a team capable of running deep in Europe next season.

Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner have already signed for the Blues, while Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Kai Havertz will try this week to move to Stamford Bridge.

Lampard is also determined to sign a left back this summer, but Carragher warned that Chelsea will not close the gap with Liverpool and Manchester City if they do not address their troublesome position this summer.

He told Sky Sports: “Chelsea will not go further unless they change goalkeeper.”

“Going back to the importance of goalkeepers, I look at this Chelsea team and there are many things I like, it reminds me in many ways of the position Jurgen Klopp was in a couple of years ago.”

“He has done his best, yes, Frank is still in his early stages, but those big signings can completely transform you as a team.”

“I still think Chelsea need a defender, you see how many goals they have conceded. I think a lot of that is because the goalkeeper is totally honest.”

But Chelsea’s defensive weaknesses extend beyond Kepa and Lampard has been warned to change his focus once Havertz has crossed the line.

Carragher added: “You see a lot of central halves in Chelsea without seeing a really outstanding one, those are the areas that if they are going to challenge Liverpool and Man City they will have to rectify in the summer.”

“They are the worst team in the defending corners of the league. This is a big problem for Chelsea. Yes, Werner is coming in and the Ajax boy is also talking about Havertz. Sounds great and fans are excited, but it means nothing. if you don’t solve those three and certainly that goalkeeper. “