
Graeme
Souness has warned Chelsea their trophy-winning days are over after they
lost 2-0 at Everton on Sunday.
Chelsea have won 15 trophies since Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003,
but they face a battle to make the top four this season in the Premier
League.
They are also facing a transfer ban for the next two windows and could lose
Eden Hazard in the summer, with his contract set to expire in 2020.
"It's difficult times ahead for Chelsea," said former Liverpool captain
Souness on Sky Sports.
"I think there's a big sea change in how they see things going forward. I
don't think they will be winning trophies in the immediate future.
"If you are Hazard, you are one of the best players in the world, and you
are thinking I'm now arguably at the peak of my career and I want to be
winning the big trophies. Will that happen at Chelsea? I don't think so.
They look like they will struggle to get into the top four. Chelsea have a
big decision to make, do they cash in or let him walk in 15 months?"
Former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp agreed with Souness
Chelsea could face an uncertain future.
Redknapp said: "Hazard is the key. He went to Chelsea for the Champions
League but if they don't get in it this year then it gives him an excuse to
leave. He seems incredibly loyal and obviously loves the club, but he has a
real predicament if they don't get into the Champions League, and so do the
club, because it's an opportunity to cash in, but you can't buy anybody to
replace him.
"When they won titles they had Didier Drogba, one of the great
centre-forwards, and they had Diego Costa. I don't think they have that
person now. I think the fans have to be patient.
"They have to try to keep hold of Hazard but if they can't I want to see the
players like Callum Hudson-Odoi given a chance. The fans want to see young
players get a chance."
Souness also declared himself "dismayed" by Chelsea's performance at
Everton, saying they play like a "five-a-side team".
Chelsea dominated the first half at Goodison Park but failed to break the
deadlock. They then conceded twice after half-time as their Premier League
top-four hopes suffered a setback.
"Chelsea dismay me," said Souness. "They must be wonderful at five-a-side,
but look at the stats. They have two thirds of possession, dominated things,
had twice as many touches, and they lose 2-0. If you are having that much of
the ball where are you having it? It's on the halfway line and in your own
half. That's how they are playing, they're like a five-a-side team.
"You take Eden Hazard out of the equation and where's the threat coming
from? They have a midfield that is made up of (N'Golo) Kante, who is a
fabulous player but doesn't really get goals, and Jorginho, who has two
goals this season, and (Ross) Barkley. They don't get goals. The mix is
totally wrong.
"If you insist on playing Jorginho, who is neat and tidy but not a goal
threat, you have to have goal threats on either side of him. You can't rely
on Hazard to do it week in, week out, it's too much for him. You have to
share the goals around.
"It's not just about today, this is Chelsea. That's why they look like
finishing outside the top four."