Chelsea may be pushing their way into the title race but Troy Deeney believes a glaring problem will cost them down the stretch.
Goals from Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez helped the Blues to their sixth win of the season as they beat Leicester City 2-1 in the early kick-off on Saturday.
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The result left the Blues in third place but increased their tally to 22, one behind second-placed Manchester City and six behind leaders Liverpool, both of whom still have a game in hand.
Although Despite the Premier League season being only 12 games old, Deeney felt the Blues currently have a legitimate presence in the title conversation.
However, the former Watford striker pointed out that they will not take the next step towards becoming title contenders until a drastic change is made.
“Yeah, right now they should look at it [the title race]Deeney told talkSPORT.
“But I still think that the goalkeeper [Robert Sanchez] and the defenders keep allowing bad goals.
“It should have been an easy 2-0 win, if not a 3-0 win today. Today they’re just wide open at the back and I think that’s why they have to aim for the top four now.”
“If they don’t go out in January and get a few signings, this defense is going to cost them dearly.”
Should Chelsea heed Deeney's demands for further signings in January, it would mean the Blues would increase their transfer spending by £197m from the summer.
An incredible 11 players came through the door at Stamford Bridge in the summer, including goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen and centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo.
However, Jorgensen had to settle for a spot on the bench behind incumbent No. 1. 1 Robert Sanchez, while Adarabioyo has made two Premier League starts this season.
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However, given Chelsea finished sixth last season, aiming to finish in the top four may be more appropriate than convincing themselves they are in the title race.
They also need to comprehensively beat teams like Leicester if they want to be considered title contenders.
Leicester had lost two of their last three Premier League games and although they posted an expected goals value (xG) of 1.11 compared to Chelsea's 2.64, Steve Cooper's side had their moments.
Kasey McAteer sent a shot flying just wide of the post in the first half, while Wilfred Ndidi had an attempt saved in the box.
However, Chelsea made the Foxes pay when it mattered most and, as Deeney pointed out, should have scored more than two goals.
At the start of the second half, Cole Palmer looked set to double the Blues' lead, but his low shot was blocked by Noni Madueke.
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Madueke tried to avoid Palmer's low strike but failed to get his foot out of the way.
Maresca knows his side cannot afford to miss so many golden chances against better teams as tougher tests await them in the top flight.
After the game, the Blues boss said: “For me.” [Jackson] it's going very well. He has been working hard on and off the ball since we started.
“He tries hard. Sometimes we use him as a midfielder or as an attacking player, it depends on the game plan.”
“We are very happy with Nico, how he plays on the ball and especially off the ball. We are sure he will improve.”
On Malo Gusto and Pedro Neto, both of whom were missing from the matchday squad, Maresca added: “Malo was with us, but he wasn't feeling well that night.”
“Pedro was a problem with the national team, there was a chance but we didn't take any risks. Hopefully he can be with us next week.”