Chelsea legend Ruud Gullit has delivered a scathing assessment of the current squad, branding the players as "horrible" and "embarrassing" for having an inflated sense of their abilities.

Gullit, who not only played for Chelsea from 1995 to 1998 but also managed the team to FA Cup glory in his debut season, expressed his dismay at the state of affairs at Stamford Bridge. Speaking at the 2024 Laureus Sports Awards on Monday, he didn't hold back in his critique, lambasting the club's recruitment strategy and the players' performances.

The former Dutch international was particularly critical of the team's composition, stating: "When I watch this Chelsea, it is not going to work. They signed too many players and it is a mess. When you bring in so many new players like that, it's almost impossible.

"But Pochettino knew this was the case when he took the job. So he has to take responsibility for that. Do I blame him? No. But he is responsible for it."

"There really is a lack of quality. You see that in the important moments, when the pressure is on. Then they can't pass the ball quickly enough, taking an extra touch every time, so that it's too late when they finally play the pass," reports the Daily Star.

"Too often, they don't seem to see the danger from the opponents. You have to see them coming and make that pass early. But if you keep on taking the extra touch, that chance is gone - and that is a lack of quality.

"If there was a moment when they could beat City, it was on Saturday, because you could see they were f*****, they were gone. They were making mistakes they wouldn't normally make because they were tired. And if you are Chelsea and you can't take advantage of that - my God! It was horrible."

The former Chelsea player was also critical of the team's behaviour during their 6-0 thrashing of Everton, where players squabbled over penalty-taking duties: "It was like watching kids, children," he remarked. "In a proper team that doesn't happen. It's embarrassing. For Pochettino it's embarrassing. For the board, it's embarrassing.

"Can you imagine me having a fight with Marco van Basten, on the pitch? That's crazy? Or someone at United having a fight with Roy Keane? What are you doing? Ridiculous.

"And they ALL think they are better than they are. And that's the worst thing of all. They have too many players who think they are better than they really are."

During his time at Chelsea, Gullit made 63 appearances and scored seven goals. His illustrious career includes winning three Eredivisie titles, three Serie A titles, two European Cups, and the 1988 Euros.

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