According to a report by Football London on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has advised Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso to sign a top-quality centre-back who can bring leadership, organisation and stability to the club’s defence.

Chelsea spent £51 million to sign Maxence Lacroix during the summer transfer window. However, Carragher believes the French defender has not yet shown that he possesses the qualities needed to significantly improve the Blues’ defensive unit.

Speaking on The Overlap’s Fan Debate, the former Liverpool defender evaluated Chelsea’s defensive options, praising some players while pointing out that the team still lacks an exceptional centre-back capable of organising the backline and holding the entire defensive unit together.

Carragher admitted that goalkeeper Emi Martinez initially helped Chelsea become more defensively solid before suffering a fractured jaw. He also highlighted the impressive performances of young defender Josh Acheampong this season.

“I think the lad at right-back, Acheampong, is doing really well. I think he’s doing really well,” Carragher said while discussing the improvements in Chelsea’s defence.

Nevertheless, he raised concerns about whether Lacroix is suitable for Chelsea’s defensive system, particularly when the team plays with a back four and requires its defenders to step forward aggressively to challenge opponents.

Carragher explained that he had admired Lacroix during his time at Crystal Palace, where the defender performed effectively in a back-three formation. However, his displays at Chelsea have prompted questions about his mobility, positioning and decision-making.

“I was seeing him pressing man-to-man. He was jumping out, and he just didn’t look comfortable to me or mobile enough to be in a back four,” the pundit explained.

The former England international believes Chelsea have several reliable defenders, but none possesses the outstanding quality needed to transform the entire defensive unit into an elite force.

“It just feels to me, when I look at your defenders, every defender’s the same six out of 10, seven out of 10. You’ve still not got that somebody you build your defence around, or can hold it all together. It just looks very average,” Carragher added.

Meanwhile, Alonso has reiterated that Chelsea’s long-term objectives include winning the Premier League title and securing a return to the Champions League.

The Spanish manager recognises that achieving these ambitions will require patience, strategic recruitment and consistent decision-making rather than an expectation of instant success.

Alonso also expressed his satisfaction with Chelsea’s rebuilding project, insisting that he remains confident the club shares his vision of gradually assembling a squad capable of competing for the biggest honours in football.