Jamie Carragher reckons Chelsea have one of the strongest squads in the Premier League but thinks this season is too soon for a genuine title challenge.
Carragher believes Blues boss Frank Lampard may even have too many options at his disposal, and questioned the big-money summer signing of Kai Havertz.
Havertz joined Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth more than £70million.
Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell, Edouard Mendy and Malang Sarr also arrived as the club spent £200million overall.
Chelsea ended 2020 sixth in the table, seven points adrift of leaders and reigning champions Liverpool.
They are due to kick off 2021 against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
"After an inconsistent run, Frank Lampard has been playing down the idea Chelsea were ever title contenders," said Carragher in his latest Telegraph column.
"Maybe this season was too soon, but although he may not have the best starting XI in England, Frank certainly has one of the strongest squads.
"I am starting to wonder if he has too many options and that is why he is yet to settle on the right formula.
"I look at Kai Havertz and wonder if Chelsea really needed to sign him last summer?
"He is obviously a player of great potential, but it never works buying a player because he is so highly-rated, unless you have a predetermined idea where he will fit into the side.
"Timo Werner has also taken time to adapt as he is accustomed to playing in a side built to counter attack.
"Like all the top sides, Chelsea come up against teams with 10 men behind the ball so do not get a chance to counter attack.
"It looks like it will be another year of gradual improvement for Lampard, fine-tuning the formation ahead of a more sustained title challenge next season."
