In his most recent column, Paul Merson shares his perspective on the precarious situation surrounding Liam Rosenior as Chelsea continue to flounder, culminating in a painful 3-0 loss to Brighton at the Amex Stadium. The defeat extended the Blues' dreadful run to five consecutive league losses without finding the net, a streak that has not been seen in English top‑flight football for more than a century. The once‑proud World Champions now sit seventh in the Premier League table, trailing fifth‑placed Liverpool by seven points despite Liverpool having a game in hand.
Chelsea’s seventh‑place standing is only a reflection of a slightly better goal‑difference; both Brentford and Bournemouth occupy the same points total and also possess a game in hand. With another league fixture looming and an FA Cup semi‑final against Leeds United on the horizon, the Blues could easily slip into the bottom half of the table if they fail to arrest the slide. Merson, a lifelong Chelsea supporter of 52 years, reflects on his personal connection to the club and the stark contrast between his memories and the current performance.
He recalls attending his first match at the age of six and notes that, while Chelsea have endured defeats and even relegation battles in the past, he has never witnessed a side that appears to lack any desire to compete. "People might say that's an exaggeration, but I've seen us lose many games, I've seen us play games needing to win to stay in the division, but I've never seen a Chelsea team not try," he writes. He draws a comparison with Arsenal’s recent loss to Manchester City, describing it as an acceptable defeat because the Gunners created chances and gave the champions a genuine contest.
By contrast, the Brighton game was, in Merson’s view, "unacceptable at the highest level." He cites Rosenior’s own post‑match comments, noting that the manager himself admitted the performance was far below the standards expected at a club of Chelsea’s stature. Merson emphasizes that professional footballers, especially those who have played at the highest level, know what it takes to give 100 percent.
He points out the embarrassment of the opening goal—a poorly timed header into the near post—and wonders how such a lapse could happen in front of a packed away crowd at a stadium that should inspire confidence. "I sit there and think, ‘Cor, you've got something about you to be able to do that’.
It takes some doing, playing for a club of Chelsea's calibre, the away end packed out, and delivering something as bad as that," he remarks. The former player acknowledges that every squad has off‑days, but stresses that the expectation at Chelsea is far higher. He likens the Brighton display to a mismatch such as Manchester City versus a lower‑league side like Barnet, noting that even Barnet would be expected to register a shot on target against the champions. "I've never seen it with that many players all at once.
I say to my boy, 'You cannot assure me of playing well, but you can assure me of giving 100 per cent'. No one can ever moan then," he says, underscoring the responsibility that comes with multi‑million‑pound wages.
Merson also references other struggling teams, such as Burnley, to illustrate that even clubs fighting relegation still demonstrate effort. "They lose every week, but I've never seen them not try.
I'm still a bit numb. I still can't believe what I watched," he admits, expressing his disbelief at the lack of intensity from a squad that should be among the league’s elite.
He predicts that Rosenior will be left questioning how his players could produce such a performance. "If I don't see it from Wolves or Burnley, how can you see it from Chelsea?" Merson asks rhetorically, highlighting the gulf between expectation and reality. He warns that the players must regroup, hold a meeting, and return to a realistic mindset, otherwise they risk further embarrassment in upcoming fixtures, including the looming FA Cup semi‑final. Regarding Rosenior’s job security, Merson speculates that the manager’s future is uncertain.
He suggests that if the club were to dismiss Rosenior, it would likely be because the players have stopped supporting him, rather than fan pressure. "When you get the sack as a manager, you get it for two reasons: either the fans are on your back, or the players aren't running for you," he explains, noting that both factors appear to be at play. Merson believes Rosenior has taken responsibility for the loss, but also points out that the blame appears to be mutual. "The players threw him under the bus, and he did the same back," he writes, indicating a breakdown in trust that could make it impossible for the manager to retain a contract that pays him through the season.
He doubts any top‑flight manager would be willing to step into a role where the squad lacks belief and cohesion. He also touches on the club’s transfer dealings, expressing skepticism about the future of recent signings such as Alejandro Garnacho, Enzo Fernández, and Cole Palmer.
Merson doubts Garnacho will remain next season and questions whether Fernández could be sold to Real Madrid for less than the £100 million fee Chelsea paid. He warns that offloading such assets could force the club to sell other high‑value players at a loss, eroding any potential profit and further destabilising the squad. In summary, Merson’s column paints a bleak picture of a Chelsea side that has lost its fighting spirit, a manager whose position is precarious, and a transfer strategy that may not deliver the expected returns. He concludes that while he does not relish seeing managers dismissed, the reality is that the players must start giving their all for Rosenior, or the club will continue to spiral.
The upcoming FA Cup semi‑final against Leeds United will be a crucial test: a victory could restore some belief, while another defeat would likely cement the notion that Chelsea’s season is slipping further away.