In his most recent column, Paul Merson shares his thoughts on the future of Liam Rosenior after Chelsea’s recent slide continued with a crushing loss to Brighton. The Blues have now endured a historically poor run of form, highlighted by a 3‑0 defeat at the Amex Stadium. That result has left Rosenior’s side on a streak of five consecutive league defeats without finding the net – a feat not seen in over a century of English top‑flight football. Chelsea currently sit in seventh place, trailing fifth‑placed Liverpool by seven points, even though Liverpool have a game in hand.
The Blues occupy that seventh spot only because of a superior goal‑difference; both Brentford and Bournemouth sit on the same points total and also have an extra match to play. With another Premier League fixture looming and an FA Cup semi‑final against Leeds United this weekend, there is a genuine risk that Chelsea could slip into the bottom half of the table if they fail to turn things around. Merson, a lifelong Chelsea supporter of 52 years, reflects on his early memories of the club and the standards he expects.
He recalls attending his first match at the age of six and emphasizes that, despite the many defeats and relegation battles he has witnessed over the decades, he has never seen a Chelsea side that simply does not try. "There is a proper way to lose a match," he says, drawing a comparison with Arsenal’s recent loss to Manchester City, where the Gunners created chances and gave their opponents a game.
"What we saw at Brighton was unacceptable at the highest level," he adds, noting that even Rosenior himself admitted the performance was far below the club’s expectations. The former player‑turned‑pundit points out that anyone who has spent a career in football knows the importance of giving 100 percent.
He describes the opening goal – a poorly timed header at the near post – as "embarrassing" and wonders how a squad of players worth £50‑70 million each could produce such a display. "I sit there thinking, ‘Cor, you’ve got something about you to be able to do that,’" Merson writes, highlighting the bewilderment of watching a club of Chelsea’s stature look so flat‑lined.
Merson acknowledges that bad days happen, but he stresses that effort must always be evident. He likens Chelsea’s performance to a hypothetical match between Manchester City and a lower‑league side like Barnet, where even the underdogs would be expected to produce a shot on target. "I have never seen so many players fail simultaneously," he says, adding that he would tell his own eleven‑year‑old son that while you cannot guarantee a good performance, you can guarantee full commitment.
"When you pay those fees and the fans travel the world for you, you must at least try," he insists. The columnist also draws a parallel with Burnley, who, despite being near the bottom of the table, never cease to fight.
"I am still numb," he admits, "I still can’t believe what I just saw. Rosenior must be shocked as well – he has to ask himself how his players could produce such a display." Looking ahead, Merson speculates on Rosenior’s job security. He suggests that the manager is in “major trouble” and must consider his own future.
The manager’s post‑match interview, in which he accepted responsibility and defended his players, signals that he is aware of the precarious situation. Merson doubts that Rosenior will be allowed to collect the remainder of his contract if he is dismissed, warning that the club cannot afford to keep a manager with no top‑level experience who cannot deliver immediate success. The columnist expresses sympathy for Rosenior, describing the feeling of a manager whose squad does not run for him as "the worst feeling in the world." He notes that many of Chelsea’s key signings are on long‑term deals, and the expectation was that they would deliver trophies, not embarrassment.
He mentions the summer acquisition of Alejandro Garnacho and questions whether he will still be at the club next season. He also highlights Enzo Fernández’s reported desire to move to Real Madrid, pointing out that Chelsea, having paid £100 million for him, are unlikely to sell at a loss.
Merson warns that if Chelsea were to off‑load Fernández for less than they paid, they would likely need to sell another marquee player such as Cole Palmer to balance the books, effectively losing two star assets for little or no profit. He argues that the club’s financial model makes it difficult to attract proven, top‑tier managers; instead, they may only find candidates eager for a chance to manage a high‑profile team, even if the prospects are limited to cup runs rather than league glory. In summary, Merson believes the upcoming FA Cup semi‑final against Leeds will be a crucial test.
He does not think Rosenior will be sacked simply because of his inexperience; rather, the decisive factor will be whether the players start to give their all for the manager. "Opposition teams will see that yesterday was one of the worst performances ever witnessed," he concludes, underscoring the urgency for Chelsea to regroup, restore confidence, and avoid further humiliation on the pitch.