Chelsea legend Ruud Gullit has sent a clear message to the Blues: they need to sign a player like Manchester United's Casemiro, or risk facing major problems in midfield. The former Chelsea player and manager didn't hold back in his assessment of the current squad, highlighting a glaring lack of experience and leadership.

After a quiet January transfer window, Chelsea are gearing up for a crucial summer. A new head coach will need to be appointed, and significant squad reinforcements are on the horizon. The Blues are reportedly targeting a centre-back, an additional midfielder, and an attacker—but Gullit believes the priority should be adding a seasoned veteran to anchor the midfield.

The club's youth-focused transfer policy has drawn heavy criticism, though co-owner Behdad Eghbali has hinted at changes to the model. Recent reports suggest Chelsea are now prepared to target players with proven Premier League experience, with names like Morgan Rogers and Anthony Gordon already linked. But Gullit argues that raw talent isn't enough.

"It looks like they get a bunch of the best young players, and the coach who comes in has to deal with what's there, with no input on who arrives," Gullit said, as quoted on X.com. "They need a Casemiro. I need players with experience in midfield—and if you don't have them, it's going to be a problem."

With the squad suffering from a lack of quality, leadership, and know-how, Gullit's warning comes at a critical time. Chelsea are also facing an injury crisis ahead of their upcoming match against Liverpool, with Jesse Derry ruled out for the season and Robert Sanchez confirmed as unavailable. As the Blues look to rebuild, the message is clear: experience matters, and without it, the road ahead could be rocky.