Paul Merson of Sky Sports has strongly criticized Chelsea, labeling their 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City as 'embarrassing'. In his latest column, Merson expresses his belief that Chelsea tends to 'capitulate' when they fall behind and questions the decision to drop Enzo Fernandez, calling it 'illogical' given his crucial role in the team. Following their loss, Chelsea now sits sixth in the league, four points away from the top five, with a Champions League spot within reach for the fifth-placed team. Merson believes that manager Liam Rosenior is under significant pressure ahead of their upcoming Premier League match against Manchester United.
He discusses Chelsea's struggle to qualify for the Champions League, citing their inability to perform under pressure and the controversial decision to bench Enzo Fernandez. Merson argues that Chelsea's chances of winning are severely hindered without Fernandez, who is their best passer and playmaker. The team's recent losses, including three 3-0 defeats, have raised concerns about their ability to compete against top-tier teams. Merson also comments on Tottenham's relegation crisis, stating that their recent loss to Sunderland was unimpressive and lacked the intensity required to avoid relegation.
He notes that Tottenham's players seem low on confidence and lack the determination to fight for points. In contrast, Sunderland demonstrated a clear style of play and cohesion that Tottenham lacked. Merson worries about Tottenham's chances of survival, given their difficult upcoming matches, including a game against Brighton.
He believes that Newcastle United's manager, Eddie Howe, is not under pressure despite the team's mid-table position, having recently won a cup and played in the Champions League. Merson attributes Newcastle's current struggles to the potential loss of key players like Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, rather than Howe's management.