Alan Shearer believes Chelsea's dismal transfer strategy played a key role in their Carabao Cup final defeat to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
The Blues failed to find a way past goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher at Wembley and have been toothless in the final third on several occasions this season.
Conor Gallagher and Cole Palmer came closest to scoring for Mauricio Pochettino's side, the former hitting the post, meanwhile substitute Christopher Nkunku was unable to truly make his mark on proceedings.
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Pulling no punches with his verdict on the Londoners' lack of firepower in attack, Shearer told The Rest Is Football Podcast: "I thought, doesn't it typify what's happened or happening at Chelsea? They just haven't got someone to put the ball in the back of the net."
"They created the chances, and we've been saying it most of the season. They've spent an absolute fortune. Can you imagine, you're in the dressing room and see the teamsheet come through and today lads, there is no Salah, no Jota, Nunez, Trent, Alisson, Szoboszlai. You'd think 'This is our opportunity' and they couldn't. They failed to take it."
"There is nothing unlucky about missing chances. If you create them, you've got to put them in the back of the net. When you spend that much dough on players and you haven't got a top centre-forward, you've only got yourselves to blame."
Offering a slightly more sympathetic stance on Chelsea's struggles, Micah Richards added: "I don't want to say I feel sorry for Chelsea, because I don't. Football is an elite game and the money
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