Jamie Carragher blasts Chelsea but admits they've signed player he wanted at Liverpool

While Liverpool remain the only club in the Premier League yet to make a signing in the transfer window, you would be hard pressed to find a supporter who would prefer to be in Chelsea's position. The Stamford Bridge outfit have recruited another nine players so far this summer for a combined fee of around £162m.

That means since Todd Boehly became their owner in 2022, Chelsea have brought in 35 players on permanent transfers worth a total of more than £1billion.

Damningly, the staggering splurge has arguably made them worse, and new head coach Enzo Maresca's big problem was laid bare in Sunday's Premier League opener with defending champions Manchester City when he was forced to leave out a number of big-name players from his matchday squad including ex-Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling.

Chelsea, who now have more than 40 first-teamers on their books, were comfortably beaten 2-0.

In contrast, the day before, the Reds cruised to a 2-0 victory at newly promoted Ipswich Town that continued the encouraging start to life in the Anfield dugout for new head coach Arne Slot.

While there understandably remains a desire from supporters for the club to strengthen Slot's squad before the window shuts on August 31, Liverpool are a shining example of signing the right players rather than just any players.

Incredibly, Chelsea are not done yet this summer, with reports today suggesting they are closing in on the £42m capture of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid.

Jamie Carragher, the Liverpool legend, was highly critical of the West London club's approach under Boehly and Co on this week's edition of Monday Night Football.

"Chelsea have just got to stop buying players and players have got to stop signing for Chelsea," he said. "I don't know why, if I was a player, I'd look at Chelsea and sign.

"The only reason you might is if your agent says 'we're getting a seven-year deal on big money' - it's guaranteed money. You know what I'd say - back yourself as a player, sign a four-year deal at a proper club, back yourself to do well.

"Then when you're up for renewal your money goes up anyway. I don't understand why players are signing seven-year deals. There isn't anything there. It is not a young and exciting team."

Carragher, though, believes Chelsea have made one good purchase - and he's a player he wished Liverpool would have signed.

Pedro Neto is Chelsea's latest and biggest recruit of the summer so far, signing a seven-year contract after making a £51.3m move from Premier League rivals Wolves.

And while he is wondering exactly where Neto will play, amid competition from Cole Palmer and a myriad of other attacking options available to Maresca, Carragher named the Portugal international as the new arrival he believes could have the biggest impact in the top flight this season.

"I think this is a player that could play for the best teams in the world - I really do believe that," said Carragher.

"He’s a player I have always watched for Wolves in the last three or four years, who I’ve always thought, ‘I’d love Liverpool to sign him’.

"I just look at the pace and the quality on the ball, he scores goals, and I just hope he stays fit.

"My only worry for Chelsea is that he is best on the right, cutting in on that left foot - probably where Cole Palmer likes to play as well.

"I think if Chelsea could keep him fit, I think he’s a special talent and he’s a player that I love to watch, and I actually get down a little bit when I hear he’s injured, even though Wolves are not my team.

"But I'd love to see him stay fit as I think he's one of the top players in the Premier League."