Paul Merson believes Chelsea are nonetheless the identical facet as they had been underneath Enzo Maresca, however head coach Liam Rosenior insists there was a “clear change”.
Chelsea threw away a two-goal lead at Stamford Bridge to attract 2-2 with Leeds on Tuesday, lacking the possibility to earn a fifth consecutive Premier League victory and transfer into the highest 4 above Manchester United.
It was the primary time Rosenior dropped factors in a league recreation, having gained the earlier 4, along with his solely defeats coming in each matches of their two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final towards Arsenal – however Merson reckons there was little progress over the previous month.
FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Chelsea’s match towards Leeds United within the Premier League
“Chelsea have not modified since Enzo Maresca was there,” mentioned Sky Sports activities pundit Merson. “They can not put a 90-minute efficiency collectively.
“They had been good within the first half [against Leeds], just like the Harlem Globetrotters. Palmer, Pedro, Santos, Fernandez – the motion. However then hastily, they have not bought that have.
“When it goes 2-1 after which 2-2, the following quarter-hour had been wasted. They have not bought anyone to say: ‘Settle down, we’ll get one other probability.’
“It fell to Palmer, two yards out and he sidefooted it over the bar. There isn’t any bobble. It occurs to the most effective. Should you requested him to place that over the bar, he’d discover it exhausting. It is mind-blowing.
“Abruptly, Chelsea have gotten some very troublesome fixtures developing. It will be exhausting. It will be an actual battle. If Chelsea get into the Champions League positions with their run-in, I will maintain my arms up and say, ‘truthful play’.”
Paul Merson is shocked that Cole Palmer missed from two yards for Chelsea towards Leeds
Nevertheless, Rosenior reckons fifth-placed Chelsea have improved.
“I hope individuals can see the development already, contemplating we have had 10 video games in 30 days,” he mentioned.
“It is a clear change and no disrespect to something that is occurred earlier than. There is a change within the issues I prefer to see, however what I actually wish to see is three factors on the board each week.
“Genuinely, I am unable to bear in mind Leeds having a shot or a second within the recreation. A few of our soccer in possession, our press, our power, was every thing I wished to see. That makes it much more of a bitter capsule to swallow that we have not gained the sport.”
Chelsea had been unable to regain management of the match after Lukas Nmecha pulled a aim again from the penalty spot and shortly conceded an equaliser.
“We’ve got to only be sure that we deal with moments and be skilled. I do not assume it is about reacting to setbacks,” added Rosenior.
“You are all the time going to have a spell within the recreation the place you are not on prime. The ridiculous factor for us is that they’ve managed to attain two targets in a five-minute interval.”
Rosenior has gained seven of his 10 video games in cost along with his facet scoring 24 targets, together with 5 towards Charlton within the FA Cup, however they’ve stored solely two clear sheets. There was no scarcity of leisure, roaring again from 2-0 all the way down to win 3-2 towards West Ham of their final residence recreation.
“We performed some actually good groups. Leeds are on an excellent run of type. They’re an excellent crew. We nullified every thing and confirmed we may create possibilities with our possession, which is a extremely optimistic factor.
“It is only a actual disgrace that due to six minutes the place we did not deal with two moments, I am not speaking a couple of actually good crew efficiency and a win.
“I do not assume it was a tactical or structural concern on this recreation. I simply assume we made poor selections in key moments. I by no means, ever blame people. It is a crew second.
“I used to be pissed off after the second aim with a few issues that I will present the gamers of why the momentum of the sport modified. That is a crew factor. If we are able to simply focus and focus for 90 minutes, this crew has unbelievable potential, which you noticed for in all probability 90 per cent of the sport at the moment.
“I am a month in. I really feel like I already know what we have to work on to enhance that. It is ensuring we get the time to do it.”
