Arsenal legend Paul Merson thinks Chelsea will miss out on a top-four finish to Liverpool because of their “negative” football.
The Blues have started life under Thomas Tuchel really well with six wins from his first eight matches in charge in all competitions.
Their good form in the Premier League has seen them move back into contention for a top-four spot with Chelsea – who host Manchester United on Sunday – now just two points behind fourth-placed West Ham.
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However, Merson thinks it’s their limitations up front that will eventually cost them in the race for Champions League football.
“Thomas Tuchel needs to get Mason Mount and Timo Werner playing closer together for Chelsea,” Merson wrote in the Daily Star.
“There is too much going on out wide with overlaps and crosses to no-one in the box at the moment, and nothing coming through the middle. They have a lot of the ball but the opposition keeper doesn’t have to be man of the match to stop them scoring bundles.
“I still think Liverpool will finish in the top four ahead of them because I can’t see Chelsea blowing anybody away playing like this. How many times does Mount pass to Werner, or vice versa? It’s minimal. They should be more connected with one another.
“It looks nice, but it’s a bit negative. I personally think Tuchel will get it right. He’s just going to need time. I’ve said all along that Chelsea are set up for three at the back. But it’s going to take a bit of time to get it right.
“And they are not going to win the league with Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham as their two centre forwards.”
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