In his latest Sky Sports column, Paul Merson gives his view on Chelsea’s defeat to Sunderland – as Xabi Alonso’s inconsistent start to life at Stamford Bridge continues.
Chelsea were poor in their loss to Regis Le Bris’ side – who started the day bottom of the Premier League with just five points and one goal at home scored all season – and went down 1-0 thanks to Enzo Le Fee’s first-half penalty.
As a result, Chelsea remain fifth in the Premier League table but in-form sides Everton and Bournemouth are now breathing down their necks.
Defeat to Leeds in their next game would move them behind the Whites as well, while their December schedule is tricky with Liverpool, Manchester City and Aston Villa all to play the Blues before Christmas.
Read below for the Magic Man’s thoughts about Chelsea’s latest setback.
‘If Chelsea don’t get Champions League, it’s a massive, massive failure’
I was very disappointed with Chelsea’s performance at Sunderland. Very disappointed. They didn’t play anywhere near the level they’re capable of.
I’m not taking anything away from Sunderland at the same time, they were very good – and they played like they did last season when they were flying.
But this is Chelsea. You can’t have one good week, one bad week at this football club.
Chelsea have gone back to square one after their loss at Sunderland
They’re renowned for winning trophies. Trophy after trophy. And don’t get me wrong, it’s been a long time since they won the Premier League. But, at the same time, you still expect a bit more consistency.
The consistency they’re showing at the moment is not enough for top-five football. And Chelsea’s aim is to get in the Champions League.
And if they don’t get into the Champions League, it would be a massive, massive failure. A huge, massive failure.
Take a look at Brighton and Bournemouth this season. Everyone was saying that Thursday night football would catch up with them and it’s a small squad. It’s now less of an excuse for Chelsea, who are playing once a week.
‘Alonso got Estevao call wrong’
Estevao was Chelsea’s best player vs Man Utd, says Merson
I thought Xabi Alonso played into Sunderland’s hands, if I’m being honest. He went there and showed them a little bit more respect than what I thought he should have.
They were bottom of the league with five points, and they were bottom of the league with five points for a reason.
Do you know what really worried me? Estevao was Chelsea’s best player by a million miles last week against Manchester United – especially in the first half when they were really bad. They should have been 2-0 down at half-time.
But all of a sudden, they go to Sunderland and he’s not playing. And he was missed. He’s someone who can take the ball up the pitch for them.
Alonso had to pick Estevao, play the same team they put out against Man Utd and get him to run with the ball. Instead, he tried to make it tight, and make sure they don’t get beat over winning the game.
‘Chelsea stars are just waiting for someone else to start playing first’
Cole Palmer struggled to make an impact in Chelsea’s defeat at Sunderland
At Chelsea, these big star players are all waiting for someone else to do it before they start playing. That’s the feeling I get at the moment.
It’s like: ‘When someone else does a bit of magic and then we go one or two up, then I’ll start playing’. They need to start producing when it’s 0-0.
And Levi Colwill got found out at Sunderland. He got absolutely ripped to shreds by Brian Brobbey.
You’re not going to fight Brobbey, you’re not going to beat him up, you’re not quicker than him. And he tried to prove that he was – and just kept on getting done. That was worrying for me – and it was no surprise that he came off at half-time.
Because after half-time, Brobbey didn’t do much. Chelsea made sure he wasn’t allowed to fight with people. They dropped off him and they didn’t let Brobbey feel anyone – which makes a massive, massive difference.
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