Gary Neville, the former Manchester United defender, has voiced his astonishment that Chelsea did not secure the signing of Cristian Romero during the recent summer transfer window. Despite Chelsea's aggressive spending, which exceeded £300 million on over ten new players, Neville believes Romero would have been a valuable addition to the squad.

In a discussion on The Overlap, Neville remarked on Chelsea's transfer decisions, particularly highlighting their failure to target the former Tottenham Hotspur captain, who has since joined Atletico Madrid. "It may seem unusual, but I would actually welcome Cristian Romero in my squad; I would not object to that. I am surprised Chelsea did not secure his signing," Neville stated.

Romero, known for his assertive playing style, was seen by Neville as an ideal fit for Chelsea's defensive setup under manager Xabi Alonso. The Blues have already bolstered their backline with the signings of three defenders—Maxence Lacroix, Marco Palestra, and Pep Chavarria—but Neville believes Romero's presence would have further strengthened their defense. "I believed he would have been an excellent fit for them as that assertive centre-back in a back-three setup. I am surprised they did not bring him in," he added.

Despite this oversight in the transfer market, Chelsea has started the season on a high note, winning both of their opening matches with impressive performances, scoring at least three goals in each game against Fulham and Brighton. New signing Cole Palmer appears to be in fine form, developing a strong partnership with Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers, making Chelsea's attack one of the most potent in the Premier League.

Looking ahead, Chelsea faces a significant challenge as they prepare to take on defending champions Arsenal in their next match at the Emirates Stadium. This encounter will test their early season momentum and provide an opportunity to showcase their squad depth and attacking prowess against a formidable opponent.