Lamps told to bring technically gifted £50 million rated defender to Chelsea

Paul Merson has urged Frank Lampard to invest in his Chelsea defence this summer with John Stones a name that he should sign.

Frank Lampard is seeking to improve a number of areas this summer, but there is a feeling that he will need to delve into that transfer kitty and land a central defender in order to help solve the defensive issues at the club.

And Merson has urged the club to make a move for the £30 million rated England defender, he told Sky Sports: People talk about the goalkeeper being a priority. Kepa Arrizabalaga is not saving them any points at the moment, that’s a problem, but they have a really good second goalkeeper in Willy Caballero, and I think he is really underrated. In this day and age, if we’re talking about Jan Oblak, he’s going to cost £100m. Kepa himself cost £71m, and has big wages too.

“I’m not sure about this one, as it wouldn’t be my major priority for the summer for Chelsea. Do they sign another £100m on a goalkeeper, where you’ve already got a goalkeeper you’ve spent £71m on, on big money, and you’re not going to get that money back? It becomes a £150m goalkeeper in the end, because you’d need to swallow the pill on Kepa. For me it’s not their major priority.

“Their priority has to be getting a centre-half and a left-back. 100 per cent. It tells you everything that they have to play three at the back, Frank Lampard doesn’t trust the centre-backs. They’ve bought well so far up front, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech are major signings, but don’t end up like Arsenal, where everyone is crying out and can see what they need. How many years did we say Arsene Wenger needs a centre-half, but he never went and got one?

“Marcos Alonso for me needs replacing; he gets vital goals but he’s not a natural defender. That doesn’t help the back three because centre-halves have to come out of their comfort zone and come out of the line of the box to defend on the wings. Alonso causes that problem.

“Cesar Azpilicueta is a great pro, but he’s getting on now. Kurt Zouma has a mistake in him. Chelsea don’t have a naturally-gifted centre-half who can put his foot on the ball and play. I’d go and get John Stones for that, and play him in the middle of the three.

[the_ad id=”164”]

JUST IN:  Chelsea on hot alert after agent announces Brazilian Coutinho adores Premier League

MOST READ:  Lamps opens up and hails the brilliant Mason Mount and sends exiting Chelsea message

YOU MAY HAVE MISSED: Rice message sent, Cerezo addresses possible £110 million Chelsea deal, Sancho decision made, Boss hints Zaha could make summer move

CLICK HERE TO READ ALL THE LATEST CHELSEA NEWS, GOSSIP AND TRANSFER RUMOURS