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Liam Rosenior watched his Chelsea side cruise past Port Vale into the semi-finals of the FA Cup with a 7-0 win, but it has papered over cracks. Paul Merson thinks the sack is still looming.
Chelsea returned after the international break to win 7-0 against their League One opponents. But the Blues had lost their previous four matches; twice to PSG, and then Everton and Newcastle in the league.
It has not been good enough. Early signs of promise after Enzo Maresca’s sacking have already worn thin. Rosenior is under immense pressure with Champions League qualification on the line, and his future.
Say Chelsea can only strengthen in one position this summer, which ONE would you choose?👀
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Sixth place could be enough to qualify in the Champions League, if Aston Villa win the Europa League. Fabrizio Romano has suggested Rosenior’s future as manager hinges on qualifying for the competition.
Merson predicts a 1-1 draw, but lose and Rosenior could be axed
However, Paul Merson thinks a decision could be made a whole lot sooner. The Arsenal legend, who is a self-confessed Chelsea fan, reckons Rosenior might be axed by the end of next week, if results are poor.
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Chelsea take on Man City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Rosenior may fancy Chelsea can get a result against a stuttering City, before facing Man United. Two losses, and Merson thinks it could be ominous.
In his Sports Keeda column, Merson said: “Chelsea are on a poor run of form at the moment. This is a tough game, but I don’t expect them to get beat. Man City are drawing too many games in the league.
“Chelsea away is not an easy fixture for them,” Merson continued, predicting a 1-1 draw on Sunday. He added: “The next two games will define Liam Rosenior’s future at Chelsea.”
Merson wants Andrey Santos to start against Man City
Merson didn’t stop there. He also provided Rosenior with some advice when it comes to team selection, suggesting Rosenior plays Cole Palmer as a 10. Palmer played as a 10 for England during the break.
You can only pick ONE, Chelsea fans 👀
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It is not the first time Merson has urged Rosenior to use the England star in the middle of an attacking trio behind Joao Pedro. He also thinks Andrey Santos should start in the middle, with Moises Caicedo.
“I hope he plays Andrey Santos and Moises Caicedo in midfield. Pedro Neto and Estevao as the wingers and Cole Palmer in the no.10 role through the middle,” Merson added, ahead of Sunday’s huge clash.
Chelsea will still be without injured trio Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah and Reece James. Filip Jorgensen and Jamie Gittens will also miss the clash, but Estevao is back. Enzo Fernandez, of course, is banned.
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