Two Chelsea summer deals to 'blame' for attacking struggles - recruitment expert

Chelsea's sales of Delap (£50m to Nottingham Forest) and Jackson (£65m to Aston Villa) are now viewed as mistakes, with both strikers thriving at their new clubs while Chelsea struggles in attack without injured Joao Pedro.

Chelsea's summer departures of Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson are beginning to look like poor business decisions. Delap was sold to Nottingham Forest for up to £50m and has already scored twice in a standout performance against Manchester City. Jackson moved to Aston Villa for up to £65m and has netted nine goals in 14 games, including four in his last three Premier League matches.

The Blues have won just one of their last four games and suffered a particularly blunt 1-0 defeat to Sunderland on Sunday without injured Joao Pedro. Experienced scout Bryan King told Football Insider that Chelsea have only one recognised centre-forward remaining and have been forced into makeshift solutions, using Morgan Rogers and Pedro Neto in attacking roles neither player is suited to.

Manager Xabi Alonso has Danny Welbeck available but has been reluctant to give him significant playing time.

Pedro has been sidelined since October's visit of Tottenham and Chelsea will hope he returns after the international break. However, King and others believe the club should have replaced at least one of the departed strikers in the summer rather than leaving themselves so short in attack.