That’s the verdict of former Manchester United defender Gary Neville.
The reigning top-flight champions are currently 18 points behind runaway leaders Manchester City.
Antonio Conte’s side suffered a humiliating 3-0 home defeat at the hands of lowly Bournemouth on Wednesday night.
Speculation is mounting that the Italian could find himself facing the sack sooner rather than later.
And Neville believes Chelsea’s transfer policy shows that they are no longer on the level of the two Manchester clubs.
“Chelsea, historically, they're not in for the players City and United are in for now,” Neville said on Sky Sports' The Debate special.
“You could move Chelsea into that next pack, because they're not competing with the Manchester clubs at this moment in time”
Gary Neville
“You could move Chelsea into that next pack, because they're not competing with the Manchester clubs at this moment in time.
“I look at these signings, and I look at that transfer window, and I think that could take a couple of years to undo.
“It's so geared to a system, the five at the back. If something happens to Conte... it's unlikely that he'll be there [beyond the end of the season].”
“A new manager has got to pick up that squad with that system.
getty
getty
“You look at those players, Giroud is there to play as a single striker, Zappacosta wing back, Marcos Alonso wing back, David Luiz one of a back three.
“You think, it's tailored to that three as a back.
“You have to unravel quite a lot system-wise, there's a lot of risk in those signings.”
Chelsea will look to get back to winning ways against Watford on Monday night (8pm).