Paul Merson has expressed doubt that Chelsea will finish higher than his former team, Arsenal, in the Premier League this season.
Paul Merson has expressed doubt that Chelsea will finish higher than his former team, Arsenal, in the Premier League this season.
Chelsea have had a strong start, currently sitting in third place, ahead of Arsenal on goal difference, after a 1-1 draw between the two sides before the international break.
The Blues have exceeded many expectations so far, with head coach Enzo Maresca acknowledging that the team’s performance has gone beyond his initial expectations.
While Chelsea are on track for a potential Champions League spot, the league remains highly competitive, with only four points separating them from Manchester United in 13th place.
However, Chelsea have struggled in recent matches, winning just one of their last five Premier League games. They do have a more favorable run of fixtures ahead, starting with an away match against Leicester City on Saturday.
At this point, few would have expected Chelsea to be ahead of Arsenal, highlighting the contrasting fortunes of the two teams early in the season.
While Chelsea have shown promise, it remains uncertain whether they can maintain their position and finish ahead of Arsenal for the rest of the campaign.
Merson, however, remains unconvinced, saying he would be surprised if Chelsea finished above Arsenal. He has previously raised concerns about Chelsea’s tendency to perform better against weaker teams.
In an interview with Sportskeeda (via X.com), Merson stated:
“I’d be shocked if Chelsea finished above Arsenal. Their squad is very young, and I don’t think they can finish third this season. If they win the Europa Conference League and secure a top-four finish, it would still be a successful season.”
