Chelsea needed top-class centre-half, says Arsenal legend

Chelsea needed to sign a world-class centre-half in the summer transfer window, according to Paul Merson.

The Blues reportedly had two bids for Everton youngster John Stones rejected in recent weeks ahead of the transfer deadline.

They spent the whole summer trying to get John Stones and then they end up getting this lad from Nantes for two million quid. I don’t think Papy Djilobodji (I think I might just call him Papy…) will be playing

Paul Merson

Pedro is great but I feel they needed a top-drawer centre-half – a £30million one – if I’m being honest

Paul Merson

The defending Premier League champions turned their attention to Nantes centre-half Papy Djilobodji after the defender completed a £4m move to Stamford Bridge.

And former Arsenal playmaker Merson reckons the Senegal international won’t see much playing time this coming season.

“Pedro is the one that stands out, obviously. They got a good goalkeeper in Asmir Begovic, but they let a very good goalkeeper go to Arsenal,” Merson told Sky Sports.

“They spent the whole summer trying to get John Stones and then they end up getting this lad from Nantes for two million quid. I don’t think Papy Djilobodji (I think I might just call him Papy…) will be playing.

“Pedro is great but I feel they needed a top-drawer centre-half – a £30million one – if I’m being honest.”

Chelsea have already conceded nine goals in their opening four Premier League games this season after a run of one win, a draw and two defeats.

Jose Mourinho also signed Radamel Falcao, Asmir Begovic, Baba Rahman, Michael Hector, Danilo Pantic, Kenedy and Pedro Rodriguez in the summer transfer window.

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The west London side suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat by Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace side in their most-recent Premier League outing at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.