In a blistering editorial, Si Phillips condemns Chelsea's failure to sign a proper striker over five transfer windows, arguing that the recent injuries only expose a long-standing incompetence in squad building.
Si Phillips expresses his mounting frustration with Chelsea's transfer strategy, particularly the failure to secure a quality striker despite having five windows to do so. He dismisses common excuses such as injuries and a supposedly bleak free agent market, insisting that there were always viable options available. Phillips argues that Chelsea's current predicament—exacerbated by injuries to Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu—is a direct result of poor decision-making by the club's recruitment team.
He highlights that the team has been left without a true number nine for far too long, recalling that the last striker with the desired physical presence was Diego Costa, a role that remains unfilled even eight years after his departure. While he briefly mentions potential free agent Serhou Guirassy, he ultimately deems him unsuitable due to his age and misalignment with Chelsea's long-term project. Phillips makes it clear that unless the club's sporting directors and upper management take responsibility and make bold changes, the team's future success is at risk.
