Wilkins perplexed by Chelsea transfer deals

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Ray Wilkins has told Talksport he believes Chelsea are significantly weaker for having parted with the likes of Nemanja Matic, Nathaniel Chalobah and Dominic Solanke.

The Hillingborn-born Wilkins, who served Chelsea as a player, coach and assistant manager, consistently argued that strikers Solanke and Tammy Abraham should have been given a chance at Stamford Bridge.

Abraham, who enjoyed a prolific season on loan at Bristol City, has since been loaned to Swansea City, while Solanke joined Liverpool this summer.

The Blues spent big to bring in midfielder Tiémoué Bakayoko from Monaco, but Wilkins is convinced they were wrong to allow Matic to join Manchester United and to sell Chalobah to Watford.

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“I cannot for the life of me understand Nemanja Matic going to one of their biggest rivals in Manchester United,” Wilkins said.

“With Matic performing so superbly well over the last three seasons, I can’t see why.

“Chalobah at £6m has gone to Watford; please tell me the difference between Bakayoko at £40m at the same age and Chalobah, who has just won the (Under-21) World Cup for England? I don’t see a £34m difference, to be perfectly honest.

“I look at Solanke, who has left for Liverpool, and he can’t stop scoring. Tammy Abraham can’t stop scoring for Swansea. These young players should be have been given an opportunity for Chelsea.

“I think Chelsea are weaker squad-wise. They need to be delving into their cash to bring more players in.”