Former Bayern Munich and Manchester United midfielder, Owen Hargreaves, has expressed doubts about Chelsea’s chances in the Champions League and other major competitions this season, citing the squad’s lack of experience.
According to Hargreaves, the current young team under new manager Enzo Maresca lacks the maturity needed to challenge Europe’s top clubs. He suggested that the Blues need to bring in seasoned professionals and even encouraged them to pursue a deal for Marc Guehi, a target also linked with Liverpool.
Hargreaves shared his thoughts following Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in their Champions League clash on Wednesday.
In that match, Chelsea found themselves trailing 2-0 in the first half after a Trevoh Chalobah own goal and a penalty converted by Harry Kane. Although Cole Palmer managed to pull one back, Kane later scored again to secure the win for the German side at the Allianz Arena.
Marc Guehi, a former Chelsea academy player, had been on Liverpool’s radar during the summer transfer window, but a move from Crystal Palace failed to materialize. The England international is currently under contract with Palace until the summer of 2026.
Hargreaves believes Chelsea should consider bringing Guehi back to reinforce their defence. He also pointed out that during the club’s most successful years in Europe, they had a core of experienced players such as Petr Čech, Ricardo Carvalho, and John Terry, which gave them the edge in high-stakes competitions.
“That’s the basis of any team,” Hargreaves told TNT Sports.
“I think the midfield three is almost as good as anyone – Enzo [Fernandez], [Moises] Caicedo and Cole Palmer – but I still think they’ll probably address that in the coming windows.
“I think there’s a nucleus there that’s going to be really special for Chelsea and today just highlighted that.
“It’s not a criticism, it’s just a fact and I thought the two young centre-backs did okay but we’re talking about [Luis] Diaz, [Michael] Olise and Kane, some of the top performers, it was a big ask for them but mistakes cost them more than anything.
“Marc Guehi… I know he was a Chelsea academy boy but somebody like that, super reliable, you can just pop him in, mentor the young boys.
“I think having these young guys is amazing but having a mentor, we all had them as young kids coming through, I think they probably need that Thiago Silva type, maybe a bit younger, just to help these young guys in a game like this, away from home in Munich where it’s very challenging.”
Chelsea’s next game is a Premier League clash with Manchester United at the weekend.
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