Azpilicueta: Chelsea need to start scoring goals if they want to close Man City and Liverpool gap

Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has sent a message to his teammates regarding their goal scoring following the first match of the Premier League season.

The 32-year-old signed a contract extension to see him remain a Chelsea player despite interest from Barcelona.

Azpilicueta penned a new two-year deal as he looks to stay at the club for the foreseeable future.

The defender played 90 minutes as his side came out 1-0 victors against Everton at Goodison Park on the first day of the Premier League season.

However, with a Jorginho penalty required to win the match, the Spaniard has now sent a message to his teammates if they wish to challenge at the top of the league this season.

Cesar Azpilicueta has recently signed a new deal at Chelsea. (Alamy)

Discussing what the Blues must do to challenge Liverpool and Manchester City for the title this season, as quoted by The Telegraph, Azpilicueta said: “It is five seasons since the last time we won the Premier League.

“We need to score goals and not concede if we want to win anything. 

“It's true that maybe at the top it is obvious for the last few years we were a bit far. 

We didn't score enough and with a half chance we concede.

"So that’s our problem, and that’s why we finished third 20 or more points behind Manchester City.”

With club-record signing Romelu Lukaku, who ended as Chelsea’s top scorer in all competitions last season, having departed for Inter Milan, the Blues are yet to sign a direct replacement.

Raheem Sterling arrived from Man City and will hope to bring goals to his new side, having netted 17 last season, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer.

Timo Werner is set to depart Chelsea in a move which will see him return to RB Leipzig this summer, which leaves the Blues light in attack.

Armando Broja, Kai Havertz and Sterling can all play in the centre of a front three for Tuchel’s side, with the trio featuring against Everton.

Raheem Sterling made his competitive debut against Everton. (Alamy)

It remains to be seen as to whether further attacking options will be brought in this summer, with Azpilicueta having sent a message over their attacking woes.

If Chelsea do not up their output in attack, they will struggle to close the gap to the teams above them, who have both added firepower this summer.

Former Chelsea target Erling Haaland completed a move to Man City, scoring a brace on his Premier League debut while another former Chelsea target Darwin Nunez joined Liverpool and registered a goal and assist on his Premier League debut.