In his most recent column, former England international Paul Merson weighs in on the precarious future of Liam Rosenior after the Blues suffered a humiliating 3-0 loss to Brighton at the Amex Stadium. The defeat extended Chelsea's disastrous run to five consecutive league losses without finding the net – a feat not seen in English top‑flight football for over a century. The once‑proud World Cup champions now sit seventh in the Premier League, trailing fifth‑placed Liverpool by seven points despite Liverpool having a game in hand.
Chelsea's seventh‑place standing is only maintained thanks to a slightly better goal difference; both Brentford and Bournemouth sit on the same points total and also possess a pending fixture. If the current slide continues, the Blues could slip into the bottom half of the table before their next league match, with an FA Cup semi‑final against Leeds United looming later in the week. With Rosenior’s job hanging by a thread and the club’s season appearing to drift further away from any realistic title challenge, Merson shares his candid thoughts on the situation.
"I've been a Chelsea supporter for 52 years," Merson writes, recalling his first match at the age of six. "I've watched us win trophies, lose heartbreaking games, and even battle relegation.
But I've never seen a Chelsea side that simply stopped trying." He draws a contrast with Arsenal’s recent loss, noting that despite being beaten, the Gunners created chances and gave Manchester City a genuine contest. "What we saw at Brighton was unacceptable at the highest level," Merson asserts, echoing Rosenior’s own post‑match comments. Merson emphasizes that Rosenior, a former professional player, knows what it takes to compete at elite level. "You have to give 100 percent, run, work hard and show the desire to win," he says.
"The opening goal – a pathetic header into the near post – was a disgrace. To think a club of Chelsea’s stature could produce such a performance, with a packed away end watching, is shocking." He acknowledges that every player has off‑days, but the collective failure was reminiscent of a lower‑league side facing a top club.
"It felt like Manchester City versus Barnet – not to disrespect Barnet, but you’d expect at least a shot on target against City. Instead we saw a group of £50‑£70 million players who couldn’t muster a single decent effort.
It borders on disgrace." Merson also reflects on his observations of Burnley this season. "Even a team fighting relegation like Burnley never stops trying.
They lose week in, week out, but they always give their all. Watching Chelsea do the opposite left me numb." He predicts that Rosenior will be left wondering how his squad could perform so poorly. "He must be as shocked as I am. If Wolves or Burnley can’t produce a display like this, how can Chelsea – a club with the world’s best facilities and fanbase –?" According to Merson, the players need a reality check.
"They have the best job in football, fans travel from all over to support them, and yet they’re not delivering. They must regroup, have a serious meeting and remember why they were paid huge wages. If they turn up next Sunday with the same attitude, the embarrassment will only deepen." The column speculates on Rosenior’s future. "Will he stay or go?
That’s the big question. Leeds fans, for example, would love to see him remain because they know a manager is only as good as the players behind him.
When a manager is sacked, it’s usually either because the supporters have lost faith or the squad refuses to run for him. In this case, it appears to be the latter." Merson points out that Rosenior took responsibility after the Brighton game, defending his players while also acknowledging the need for change. "He knows he’s in major trouble and must protect his own career.
It would be astonishing if the club kept him on a full‑pay contract after this debacle. The idea that a manager with no top‑flight experience could instantly turn things around is unrealistic." He expresses sympathy for Rosenior, describing the feeling of a manager whose players don’t support him as "the worst feeling in the world." The squad, Merson notes, is bound by six‑year contracts and was signed on the promise of delivering trophies, not languishing in mediocrity.
The column also touches on the transfer market. Chelsea splurged on Alejandro Garnacho this summer, yet Merson doubts he will be part of the squad next season if the current trend continues.
He mentions Enzo Fernández’s rumored desire to move to Real Madrid, questioning how the club could sell a £100 million asset for less than its purchase price. If they do, they would need to offload Cole Palmer for around £80 million just to balance the books, effectively losing two star players with no profit. Merson concludes that while a new manager could eventually be appointed, the club’s financial model – buying big names and expecting instant success – is unsustainable without a coherent strategy and a squad willing to fight for the badge.
He ends on a personal note: "After last night’s performance, I’m genuinely worried. I don’t relish seeing managers get the sack, but Chelsea fans will likely want Rosenior to stay simply because the players aren’t playing for him. Opposition teams will remember this as one of the worst displays ever witnessed from a club of Chelsea’s stature." In summary, Paul Merson’s column paints a bleak picture of Chelsea’s current state, highlights the urgent need for a cultural reset within the squad, and warns that Rosenior’s position is far from secure unless dramatic improvements occur on and off the pitch.