Paul Merson has strongly criticized Chelsea's dismal 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City, labeling their performance as 'cringeworthy.' In his latest column, Merson expresses his concern that Chelsea tend to 'capitulate' when they fall behind and questions the decision to drop Enzo Fernandez, citing it as 'crazy' and 'a huge issue.' With Chelsea now sixth and four points off the top five, Merson believes manager Liam Rosenior is under immense pressure ahead of their upcoming Premier League home game against Manchester United. Merson's comments also touched on Tottenham's relegation crisis and the future of Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, stating that Chelsea's failure to qualify for the Champions League would be a significant setback. He emphasized the importance of having Enzo Fernandez on the field, as his absence was deeply felt during the Manchester City game. Merson also discussed the challenges faced by Tottenham, who are struggling with low confidence, and expressed his worries about their ability to escape relegation.
Additionally, he shared his thoughts on Newcastle's current situation, defending Eddie Howe and attributing the team's struggles to the potential loss of key players like Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.