Is Paratici to blame?
The Director of Football should have a deeper appreciation of the squad's strengths and weaknesses. Yes we tried to sign a CB in the summer, but didn't commit the figures we did to Richarlison possibly. Then by December it was blatant that the defense needed reinforcement as we conceded too many if we tried to play. Paratici signs a winger and lets Doherty go for free.
And spent 45m on a RB who was obviously wanted by Conte when we must have known there's a fair chance he was going to leave at that point. Could have spent all of that on a CB instead and got someone decent.