Arsenal legend Paul Merson has warned Chelsea that their ball-playing philosophy does not match their defence in West London, following David Luiz's Deadline Day move across London.
Frank Lampard's managerial debut with the Blues did not go according to plan as Chelsea suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Kurt Zouma, who spent last season on loan at Everton, conceded a penalty for the opening goal and endured a shaky match, which has raised eyebrows about the decision to allow Luiz to join Arsenal.
As Merson identified, that deal has strengthened a direct rival and he also believes that Luiz was the best ball-playing defender available to Lampard this term.
"Frank Lampard has got to be careful. Chelsea have let their best ball-playing defender leave to go to their rivals, not just in London but in the top four," he wrote for Sky Sports.
"None of their defenders can play out from the back
"I can understand if Chelsea pushed everyone up to the halfway line, the goalkeeper kicks it, and they play in the other half, but if you're asking them to start playing out from the back, they're going to get beaten left, right and centre.
"Kurt Zouma just didn't look ready. He didn't look ready before this, which is why he went out on loan. It's a dangerous, dangerous game. The fans liked David Luiz.
"They need to get results quickly, because the fans won't be happy watching them play out and lose the ball.
"It looked like Frank looked at the situation and thought: 'I need it quiet here, I can't be having problems', so Chelsea let Luiz go. Sometimes that's the way it is, and great managers have a high-maintenance player and get them to perform.
"I go to Stamford Bridge a lot, and Chelsea's defence are asked to play out nearly all the time. Kepa doesn't kick anything long.
"Luiz was the best player on the ball by a million miles. Now all of a sudden you've got players who can't play out, and teams will suffocate them."
Chelsea's challenges do not get any easier as they face Liverpool in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday, before returning to Premier League action by hosting Leicester City at Stamford Bridge.
