Abramovich needs 'new Zola' to get best out of £50m Torres

Roman Abramovich has never been shy in using his chequebook to help Chelsea challenge for silverware, but it is vital his money is spent more wisely this summer.

The Russian appears to have made changing the manager his top priority once again, yet the disappointing nature of Chelsea's defeat at Old Trafford proved it is the squad that needs his urgent attention.

It doesn't matter who is in charge next season, Chelsea are in decline and desperately need fresh talent to claim major honours again.

Abramovich will argue that he has already spent £75million on Fernando Torres and David Luiz this year.

The duo are sure to improve next season but Chelsea need further investment from their owner in the close season.

Chelsea's biggest mistake in recent years has been their failure to recognise they lack a creative attacking player that strikes fear into the oppostion.

The club have relied heavily on good team play rather than individual flair since they sold Arjen Robben to Real Madrid in 2007 and it is is vital they purchase someone who is capable of doing something out of the ordinary.

It seemed fitting that arguably their greatest signing of all, Gianfranco Zola, was at Old Trafford to see his old team fluff their lines and offer captain John Terry some consoling words in the tunnel afterwards.

With Torres sure to be entrusted with leading the line on a regular basis next term, Chelsea need to buy players in the mould of Zola and Robben to play behind him, otherwise he will never justify his £50million price tag.
Of course players of that ilk are hard to come by and are not exactly cheap, however Abramovich has shown on more than one occasion that he has the funds to get his man.
The club are pursuing talented young strikers like Neymar, from Brazil, and the Belgian Romelu Lukaku, yet all their efforts should be geared towards attacking midfielders.
They desperately need someone like Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder, a target of rivals Manchester United. At 26-years-old, the Dutch international still has his best years in front of him and is the perfect option to use behind Torres.
He gave a masterclass against Chelsea in the Champions League last season and, while he will command a fee in excess of £25m, will provide value for money.

Even if they lose out on the former Ajax star, they don't have to look far for another candidate to fulfil the role as Tottenham's Luka Modric is a shining light in the Premier League.

Spurs will insist he is not for sale, but they are unlikely to to qualify for the Champions League and he deserves to play at the highest level.

Failing that, there is 19-year-old Christian Eriksen, of Ajax, who impressed for Denmark in the February friendly against England and knows Stamford Bridge well having had a trial a few years ago.

With Torres employed in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, it is also clear that Chelsea need to find new stars to play on the wings.
They have been monitoring Udinese's Alexis Sanchez - along with most of Europe's top clubs -as well as Lille's Eden Hazard.
That is not to say Chelsea should completely ignore other areas for improvement.
Their defensive record is the best in the Premier League, but with the goals-against tally standing at 30, that is hardly a testament to the quality of the competition.
The midfield has been too easily bypassed this season with Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel toiling away, so their interest in the relentless force that is Newcastle's 24-year-old Cheik Tiote should be taken seriously.
The back four doesn't need much tinkering apart from the purchase of an attacking right-back to match the qualities Ashley Cole provides on the left.
Jose Bosingwa has flattered to deceive in this department and they are now looking at Ajax's Gregory van der Wiel to fill the void.
Obviously, it would be impossible to acquire all these players in the summer, especially with UEFA's impending rules about financial fair play serving as a deterrent to lavish spending.
But if Chelsea are to have any hope of taking the title back from Manchester United next season, Abramovich must allow his bank balance to take another dent.