Former Chelsea defender Glen Johnson has advised manager Mauricio Pochettino to show the exit door to 'five of six players', to get things right at the club.
“I’d only want to see five or six players leave,” Johnson told Betfred. “Many of the players they’ve signed recently didn’t come straight into a settled dressing room because there’s been so much change in terms of the playing staff. When there’s so many changes, it’s difficult to find the right rhythm.
“Most of the players deserve more time because they’re so young and they shouldn’t be judged too quickly. Obviously, there’s only so much time you can give players but they’ve cost the club a lot of money and deserve the chance to have a full pre-season in the summer and hopefully we see an improved Chelsea next season.”
He has also advised Pochettino to sign either Karim Benzema or Roberto Firmino as he believes the club need a 'big-name striker'.
“100 per cent. Absolutely. He’s [Benzeme] the type of big-name striker you need because he’s won almost everything in the game and he’s a goal machine, so you’d expect him to adapt easily to the Premier League. If a loan deal is the only option, then Chelsea have to try and sign him.”
“Roberto [Firmino] is a bloody great player and he’s a Liverpool legend, but he’s not going to get you 20 goals a season,” Johnson added.
“However, he’s a fantastic player and he’s brilliant at creating chances for his fellow forwards and bringing the game together. He’s not an out-and-out goal machine but would I sign him if I was Chelsea? Yes I would, but I believe they need a proper goalscorer too.”
