Gary Neville says Chelsea cannot compete with financial might of Manchester United and Man City and they made ‘risky signings’

GARY NEVILLE says Chelsea's transfer policy shows they will be also-rans when up against the financial might of the two Manchester clubs.

The Old Trafford legend insists Antonio Conte's side belong in the "next pack" of clubs that cannot afford to lavish such funds.

That is significant because it could be claimed that Chelsea, backed by Roman Abramovic's billions, ushered in the new era of massive spending.

And Neville is adamant that the way Chelsea bought in this window could cause them issues for years to come because the signings are "risky".

He said: "Chelsea, historically, they’re not in for the players City and United are in for now.

"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.

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"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."

Boss Conte was at odds with the Chelsea board over signings this window and last.

They did acquire the services of Emerson Palmieri from Roma, Ross Barkley from Everton and Arsenal's Olivier Giroud.

But the latter made the switch from the Emirates after the Blues failed to agree terms with Edin Dzeko.