Paul Merson suggested Liam Rosenior has already upset one Chelsea player following Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup.
Merson, working for Sky Sports, issued a scathing reaction to Chelsea’s performance in the semi-final second leg at the Emirates Stadium. Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game in stoppage-time to secure a 4-2 aggregate victory for Arsenal, who are aiming to win their first major silverware since 2020.
“I’m numb. I’m flabbergasted. I can't believe what I just watched,” Merson, who supports Chelsea but is best remembered for his long spell with Arsenal, said on Sky Sports.
“This is Chelsea Football Club. They've got international football players, a World Cup winner and they've got good players all over the pitch. This is not a bottom four, bottom five team.”
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Merson Suggests Fofana Tears Due to Rosenior's Tactics
Former players and TV pundits Roy Keane and Paul Merson at Old Trafford
Premier League - Manchester United v Arsenal - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - May 12, 2024 Former players and TV pundits Roy Keane and Paul Merson are pictured inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Carl Recine
As the camera cut to an upset Wesley Fofana, Merson suggested the defender was in tears because Rosenior’s tactics meant Chelsea “never had a go”.
“I’m lost for words,” the Sky Sports pundit added. “I can’t believe what happened. They’ve just gone out with an absolute whimper in the semi-final of a big competition. If it worked, it was great, but it hasn't worked and you can't gamble like that.
“Have a go, and go out in a blaze of glory - don't go out like that. I’m lost for words, honestly, I’m lost for words.”
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Rosenior, Chelsea’s shock replacement for Enzo Maresca last month, was asked about Merson’s damning comments in his post-match press conference. The 41-year-old said: “I’ve been a pundit, it’s easy. It’s easy in hindsight. So if I go and attack the game, press really high and we concede two goals early, everyone says, ‘what’s he doing?’.
“That’s the reality of my job. The reality of my job is if you lose games, you’ll be criticised; if you win, you’re a genius. It’s normally somewhere in between that.”
Although Chelsea are out of the Carabao Cup, they still have opportunities for success in three other competitions this season. The Blues finished sixth in the Champions League league phase table, meaning they’ll be competing in the knockout stages, and currently sit fifth in the Premier League - one point behind fourth-placed Manchester United and 13 behind leaders Arsenal.
Their best chance of silverware, however, may be in the FA Cup. Chelsea face Hull City, where Rosenior spent five years as a player and two as a manager, in the fourth round of the competition on February 13.