Ray Wilkins says Chelsea are weaker without Diego Costa, Nemanja Matic and John Terry,
Conte replaced the duo with Alvaro Morata and Tiemoue Bakayoko, respectively, with Wilkins still unconvinced by the new additions.
Despite both players starting in fine form for Chelsea, Antonio Conte’s side have already lost two games in the league, falling six points behind the two Manchester clubs at the top of the table. Matic, meanwhile, has performed superbly for new club Manchester United, giving one of Chelsea’s major title rivals a noticeable advantage in the title race.
‘I don’t think we are anywhere near as good as last year,’ Wilkins told Sky Sports. ‘We had the best forward (Costa) in the league last year. ‘We had people at the club that you need at a football club, like John Terry.
‘I don’t know why we didn’t offer John something around the club to keep that Chelsea business going on, I really don’t. ‘Bakayoko is no Matic, not yet anyway. Matic is just superb. ‘I don’t think we are anywhere near what we were last year.’
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Against Burnley was a fluke, same as against Palace last year. City no, we were outplayed.
The problem is of course that the two Mancunians have progressed from the lame ducks they used to be, also the heavier program.
Still the board could have done better during the summer transfer period.