Crouch ‘absolutely loves’ Chelsea signings

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Peter Crouch believes Chelsea will light up the Premier League this season with their new signings.

The Blues have added major attacking options to their squad, bringing in Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech – with Kai Havertz likely to join them at Stamford Bridge.


England left-back Ben Chilwell has also been brought in this summer.

And former England striker Crouch, who grew up in Ealing, has no doubt Chelsea’s new arrivals will make an impact.

Speaking to Paddy Power, Crouch said: “I look at Chelsea this summer and I absolutely love the players they’ve signed – every single one of them.

“I know they’ve spent a lot of money but each of them is a real class player.

“I genuinely think that the players they’ve signed are good enough to push them on.

Chelsea striker Timo Werner
Werner looks like making a big impact

“I don’t think they’ll win the league, but the business they’ve done will take them from top-four candidates to pushing the top two a hell of a lot closer.

“And that’s great news for Frank Lampard, not pressure. He’s getting some really exciting players added to his team. He’ll be delighted.

“They’re players that fans are going to want to watch. So I don’t think it makes Frank’s life harder.

“If you’re manager of any of the big six clubs in England, there’s going to be huge pressure anyway.

“It was the same last season – just because they’ve signed some great players, it doesn’t mean there’ll be any more pressure than last year.”

Chelsea youngsters should ’embrace the challenge’

Chelsea’s transfer ban meant the club’s young players were given a chance by boss Lampard last season.

The likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham now face major competition for places.

But Crouch, whose career included a spell at QPR, believes Chelsea’s homegrown players should be pleased about the new additions.

Mason Mount of Chelsea
The likes of Mount faces a battle for a place

“For the young players at Chelsea, it should be good news,” he said.

“I always loved it when someone big walked through the door, because I wanted to be playing with the best players – and Chelsea have signed some of the best in Europe this summer.

“You might look at it and think ‘oh, I might not get a game now’. But that’s a defeatist attitude.

“You’ve got to step up and embrace the challenge.

“You have to work on your own game, improve, and make sure you’re in the team.”