Football
Frank Sinclair exclusively to William Hill: “Sancho isn’t the answer for Chelsea.”
Frank Sinclair talks exclusively to William Hill
Former Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair spoke to William Hill after Chelsea’s 4-1 Europa Conference League victory over Real Betis and shared his view on the season for The Blues and what they should be aiming for next. Sinclair also played for Wrexham and gives his view on how the team can perform next season in the EFL Championship in impact on their Celebrity Ownership.
You won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup with Chelsea, what sort of impact do you think winning the Conference League will have on the current team, even though the club has been used to competing for bigger honours?
It’s big. Chelsea has a culture of winning trophies, and this was the European Trophy they had the chance to win this season, and they won it. This is great for this young squad to get their first trophy under their belt, so I have no issue celebrating this trophy and for the owners as well, this is their first trophy for the club. It’s a new era, a good young group of players and the quality they have in the squad was evident in the second half especially. Don’t underestimate how much this will do for this group of players and for the future of the club under Maresca. Chelsea can now build on this and with the right additions to the squad, they can compete for big honours next season.
The first trophy of the Maresca era arrived in Poland, what did you make of the game and what was the difference between the two sides that got Chelsea over the line?
Chelsea’s second half performance was exceptional. They blew Betis away and they couldn’t copy with Cole Palmer. His assists were top class, the substitutions from the Manager were very good and it lifted the team and they got stronger and stronger and when they look the lead, Betis were a shadow of their first half performance.
Cole Palmer stole the show in the second half, is there a need now to add established quality to this young squad? Who would you like to see come in?
Absolutely. There is definite need to add more established quality to this young squad. Chelsea got Champions League football, which was the aim, but now if they want to challenge for the Premier League then they need more strength in depth, more established players that can ensure Chelsea can be more consistent during the season. Looking at who I like, I believe we need a established striker so Osimhen has been mentioned, and I like him a lot. I don’t see the Premier League phasing him at all and can be a big threat for Chelsea If he joins.
Gyokeres is another striker who Chelsea should look to enquire about as he has some great numbers to his game and his more of a team player than Osimhen, but either can take Chelsea to the next level. I like Morgan Rogers at Aston Villa; Chelsea need back up on the left-hand side of the pitch in the forward positions. I also believe Chelsea need a top Centre Back and Mario Gilla is one player I like, and he could really bolster the Chelsea back line.
There was a moment at 2-1 when Nicolas Jackson was through on goal and fluffed his lines, are moments like that highlighting why Chelsea are pushing for a striker? The likes of Liam Delap, Viktor Gyokeres, Hugo Ekitike and Victor Osimhen are rumoured targets, would you like to see any of them come in? Or another striker?
Yes, Chelsea needs a top striker and given they have Champions League football now, it’s a lot easier for them to go and get their man. If Chelsea wants to challenge for the Premier League title, then a new striker is needed. Osimhen is a top player, very confident in what he does and will thrive in the Premier League.
I prefer Gyokeres, given he is more of a team player and can score all types of goals and seems to be strong as well. Looking at Liam Delap, he has had a good season for Ipswich. To score 10+ goals in a team who are relegated is good and he would do a good job at Chelsea given the number of games they will play. If Delap is the one, I am not sure he will be able to push Chelsea to the title, but he is a good young striker and can learn from the current players Chelsea have. I know he is a wanted man, so likely he may go to one of the other teams.
Jadon Sancho ended his year on a high note with a goal, should Chelsea sign him permanently? Or pay the rumoured £5m penalty to cancel the obligation to buy him?
The only person who can answer that is the Recruitment team. Chelsea do need a right footed player on the left hand side so Jadon is one for them to seriously consider. He has the quality, he has plenty of experience, but I am not sure he has the all-round game for Chelsea to get to the next level and win the Premier League, which has to be the aim for the club. So I don’t see him being the answer.
You played in a Wrexham side under Dean Saunders that didn’t have the benefit of the new Hollywood riches, what do you expect from the club in the Championship? Could they secure another promotion this season? Are there any big names you would like to see join?
The expectations from fans are another promotion as to this is what they are used to. It will be difficult given the 3 Premier League teams coming down will have far too much for them in Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester City. So the only way to compete is to recruit Premier League quality to the Team. Jamie vardy is mentioned and he is the type of player who would score a load of goals at this level. For the owners, they are in no way believing that the Premier League is needed as they are well ahead of schedule from their project, so a season of getting used to the Championship is most likely for Wrexham.
Phil Parkinson is doing a great job, has a good team around him and should be given the tools to look to compete at this level. I see Wrexham competing well next season and they will need to spend and add more quality and depth to the squad. Any big names I would like to see join.. I think they need to look at players who have Premier League experience, this is essential now as the step up to the Championship is big for Wrexham and they want to stay in the division. I mentioned Jamie Vardy, a player like him would be excellent.
Are Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney two of the best football club owners in the United Kingdom?
It’s difficult to judge this. But you can see how they have so enthusiastically put their heart and soul into understanding Wrexham, the community and being part of something like this. They have been hands on and delivered on and off the pitch.
