Paul Merson warns Chelsea

LONDON. - Paul Merson has warned that Chelsea “are in danger of becoming another Arsenal” by missing out on the Champions League soccer.

Chelsea’s hopes of securing a top four finish in the English Premier League are looking increasingly bleak - they are 11 points adrift of Tottenham with a game in hand.

It could be a summer of upheaval at Chelsea with manager Antonio Conte expected to depart, and Merson anticipates that key players such as Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois could also be on their way out of Stamford Bridge.

Merson wrote in his column for the Daily Star: ‘Chelsea are in danger of becoming another Arsenal.

“Antonio Conte is on his way out, but I can’t see the owner spending bundles of money in the summer. I can see Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois leaving.

“These are worrying times for Chelsea. I don’t see any way back for them. I think they’re going to be also-rans again next season.

“Other teams have come flying past them and will only get stronger. Tottenham and Liverpool are already ahead of them.”

Merson, who played for Arsenal between 1985 and 1997, believes that both Arsenal and Chelsea could find themselves out of the Champions League for a prolonged period.

Merson continued: “Manchester United will spend big again. I don’t see City dropping out of the top four either, so Chelsea could be out of the Champions League for years to come in my opinion - just like Arsenal.’’ - Mailonline.