Paul Merson says: Chelsea are a rollercoaster aspect – do they need to win the Premier League?

Paul Merson has questioned Chelsea’s need to win the Premier League, saying their present switch technique will not win league titles.

Enzo Maresca’s aspect suffered a last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, leaving them ninth within the league desk.

They recovered by claiming a victory within the Carabao Cup towards Wolves on Wednesday night however forward of their “essential” league conflict at Tottenham on Saturday – stay on Sky Sports activities – Merson says the Blues are at the moment not constructed to win the Premier League.

The Magic Man goes on to debate what Chelsea must do to develop into title contenders and divulges why Champions League qualification this season is as soon as once more essential…

‘Chelsea are going to be inconsistent’

It was a nasty day on the workplace for Chelsea towards Sunderland.

Once you get to that time within the recreation, so late on, you need to ensure you do not lose the sport. Some extent is some extent. It retains you going and it retains the momentum with you.

Chelsea are a younger workforce which brings inconsistency. They’re a cup workforce.

Inconsistent groups do effectively in cups. They will get sizzling and produce on any given day in a one-off recreation, however they wrestle over the course of a league season. They will not be a menace within the league over a 38-game season.

That is the place Chelsea are. They’ve gained cups and may win a cup competitors this yr, however you will not be profitable league titles with a younger workforce like that.

In the meanwhile, that’s the challenge. Shopping for younger gamers is the best way they’ve gone, however that does not win league titles.

‘Do Chelsea need to win the Premier League title?’

To a sure extent, the challenge has labored however long term, do Chelsea need to win the Premier League?

Now, it is like a rollercoaster.

One minute they are often nice however then the subsequent minute they don’t seem to be nice. It is at all times going to be a bit up and down with out skilled heads within the workforce.

Solely time will inform with how the challenge develops.

Who will they purchase within the subsequent switch window and in the summertime? Will they proceed to purchase 21 and 22-year-olds? Or will they go for a few older gamers with Premier League expertise?

It comes all the way down to what the house owners need, whether or not they need to win cups or deliver the title to Stamford Bridge.

‘Chelsea squad nonetheless quick’

I just like the choices Chelsea have within the centre of their defence.

The likes of Trevoh Chalobah and Josh Acheampong have carried out effectively, however they’re all younger gamers.

I do not suppose Levi Colwill would have come by means of in addition to he has with out having Thiago Silva to assist him. It is vital for younger defenders to have that kind of foil to study from.

That is why I feel Chelsea want to herald an skilled defender to attempt to assist the younger gamers they’ve progress additional.

Then there’s the goalkeeper. Robert Sanchez is an efficient shot-stopper however I feel he is at all times obtained a mistake in him.

In midfield, they have top-of-the-line in Moises Caicedo however up entrance, I feel the choice to let Nicolas Jackson depart is coming again to chunk Chelsea a bit. Marc Guiu wasn’t as much as the duty towards Sunderland.

To solely contact the ball 9 or 10 occasions if you find yourself taking part in for a dominant workforce, that is not ok. Joao Pedro can also be not coaching a lot as he manages an harm.

It leaves Chelsea quick, and I feel it reveals that squad isn’t as nice as everybody makes out.

‘Maresca will need to win the Premier League’

Enzo Maresca will probably be disenchanted.

He’ll need to win the Premier League. That is the true check.

You may lose extra video games within the Champions League than within the Premier League however nonetheless go on and raise the cup. That is why the league remains to be the holy grail.

However due to the way it has gone within the league to date, Chelsea are underneath extreme strain to win a trophy. It made the sport towards Wolves essential.

Chelsea would have gone second within the league with a win final Saturday however now they’re ninth. That consequence has actually cranked up the strain, particularly with a visit to Spurs on Saturday too.

The challenge relies on profitable trophies and they aren’t going to win the Premier League. The Champions League will probably be tough with the calibre of groups in it and with ties being over two legs because the competitors progresses, so it leaves the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.

‘Chelsea must hold profitable trophies’

I anticipate the ups and down from Chelsea however there’s solely endurance whenever you win issues.

Final yr they did get some silverware in order that’s why there’s some understanding, for now.

However Maresca will know he might want to hold profitable this season. If he would not, there will probably be mayhem.

And that does not imply Maresca has to go. He can solely do what he can with the playing cards he is dealt.

He was fairly clear he wished a centre-half. He did not get one because the membership introduced in one other two wingers.

The squad, for me, isn’t fairly there but. It is not balanced sufficient and, as I’ve mentioned earlier than, it wants a few skilled heads.

‘Spurs recreation essential in race for prime 4’

Additionally it is an enormous recreation towards Tottenham on the weekend.

For the followers, that is Chelsea’s greatest recreation. For Chelsea, it is a recreation you do not need to get beat in.

When it comes to the league, it is essential too. Chelsea must get into the Champions League for subsequent season.

The truth is that even for those who win an FA Cup or a Carabao Cup, they nonetheless must qualify for the Champions League.

A cup and prime 4 is an efficient season for Chelsea. A cup and no Champions league isn’t a superb season. It is so simple as that.

I do not like saying that as a result of I prefer to see my workforce lifting trophies. As a participant, give me a trophy any day.

Nonetheless, as a membership, to maintain the challenge going and to maintain attracting the fitting calibre of participant, you need to be within the Champions League.

Watch Tottenham vs Chelsea on Saturday Night time Soccer, stay on Sky Sports activities; kick-off 5.30pm.