'Chelsea have badly bought players' - Ex-Super Eagles winger delivers damning verdict on Blues' bloated squad

Former Super Eagles winger Victor Ikpeba has criticized Chelsea's transfer strategy, taking issue with the club's recent transfer decisions and the size of their squad.

Ikpeba expressed his concerns over Chelsea's continuous spending on expensive players during the last two years, suggesting it has not been beneficial to the club.

Speaking on SuperSport's Monday Night Football, monitored by allnigeriasoccer.com, Ikpeba emphasized that a football team typically needs around 22 players, with academy talents stepping up when injuries occur.

"You need a squad of twenty-two players to plan for the season and try to bring the younger players from the academy once in a while when there are injuries," Ikpeba said.

"I think Chelsea have badly bought players expensively the last two seasons."

Ikpeba's criticism extended to Chelsea's performance in their 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the 2024/2025 Premier League opener at Stamford Bridge.

He highlighted a moment in the match when former Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic easily bypassed two of Chelsea's most expensive signings, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, to score City's second goal.

Ikpeba said: "Why not? Mateo Kovačić is a very experienced player, he has played in Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Manchester City.

"I don't know how Chelsea allowed all those players to leave when they won the Champions League."

Reflecting on Chelsea's handling of their squad since their Champions League triumph, Ikpeba questioned the club's management.

"When you look at the team that won the Champions League, how they broke up the squad. Chelsea have signed 11 players this season.

"Chelsea is not a well-run club. When you have 42 players what do you want the manager to do?

"You have to manage human beings. To have a lot of players that are not happy, how do you want to get the best from these players?"

Adeyemi Adewale

Photo Credit: Instagram

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