Worrying’… Paul Merson speaks on what really concerned him about Chelsea

Worrying’… Paul Merson speaks on what really concerned him about Chelsea

Pundit Paul Merson has claimed how long it took Chelsea to break down Tottenham on Monday night is a real worry.

He told Sky Sports that Manchester City would have hit double digits if they came up against Spurs as they were in the last game.

Chelsea eventually ran out 4-1 winners away from home, however the scoreline merely scratches the surface of what went on.

The Blues laboured for the majority of the second half when they were coming up against nine men who were deciding not to hold on to a point.

Nicolas Jackson’s late hat-trick put the game beyond doubt late on, however the visitors certainly didn’t leave North London with too much pride.

Merson has now claimed how Chelsea struggled to break through was a real worry for him.

Merson worried about Chelsea

He said: “I like Postecoglou and he probably thought Chelsea were going to score in the second half playing against 10 men, so it’s pointless going out with a whimper, playing 10 behind the ball and never looking like scoring a goal.

“But sooner or later Chelsea had to find that pass in behind. It was very easy. If that was Man City playing Tottenham it would have been 10-1 at least.

“Chelsea should have worked it out a lot quicker. That was worrying. I didn’t think it was clever the way they played in the second half. It was there to score five, six, seven goals. But that’s what happens when you’ve got a young team without experience.

“The Tottenham players gave absolutely everything. They got beaten 4-1 at home in a big London derby and the fans are still clapping them off the pitch. Those players are playing for the manager and taking on board what he says.”

It is certain that Mauricio Pochettino will be looking for more from his players when they welcome City to Stamford Bridge this weekend.