Merson: Chelsea are in a mess - who would want the manager's job?

Paul Merson says Chelsea's project isn't working and he has questioned whether a top manager would want to come to Stamford Bridge with the club in such a "mess".

Chelsea suffered a sixth Premier League defeat in a row for the first time since 1993 with the 3-1 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest, a result which means it is now impossible for them to finish in the top five and qualify automatically for the Champions League.

There is also the increasing likelihood that they will struggle to finish high enough to make either of the other two European competitions, after defeat to a Forest side showing eight changes saw them drop to ninth, with a visit to Anfield to play Liverpool up next.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Merson discussed Chelsea's predicament and how they are going to struggle to come through it. He also considered who might be the next manager at the club, suggesting the top coaches in the world won't want to come to Chelsea anymore.

Read on for the Magic Man's thoughts on Chelsea in full...

• Carragher: Chelsea look like a broken club
• Chelsea 1-3 Nottingham Forest - Match report and reaction
• As it happened | Teams | Stats
• Live Premier League table | Watch FREE PL highlights

'Brighton was bad, Forest defeat even worse'

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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Chelsea’s match against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

I was at Stamford Bridge. Wow.

I thought the defeat to Brighton was bad, but it got even worse against Nottingham Forest. It was terrible.

Also See:

• Carra: Chelsea look like a broken club
• Who could be Chelsea's next manager? Carra and henry asses options...
• Chelsea news and transfer latest
• Get Sky Sports

Chelsea finishing the season strongly and potentially winning the FA Cup seems a million miles away.

I know it's a one-off game but Man City look far too strong for Chelsea.

The game against Forest was a massive opportunity for Chelsea. they could have really closed in on sixth, which could still be a Champions League spot.

But now, Brentford are above Chelsea and we've had 35 games this season. That is extraordinary for me.

The fans are not happy at all. The club are fortunate that it is Tottenham next at Stamford Bridge. That's a cup final. Otherwise the atmosphere would be very toxic at Stamford Bridge.

'The project isn't working'

Chelsea have gone with a project that if it doesn't work, you've had it. The players all have six-, seven- and eight-year deals.

If that doesn't work, it becomes so hard to sell a player. It's going to be a real struggle to get anyone out the door.

Also, they have brought all these players in on lesser money on longer-term deals, but in the end, they have to give them big money. None of it makes any sense.

They have just given Moises Caicedo big money, Reece James had a new deal and Cole Palmer signed a new deal, but they were already on long-term deals. I just can't see how it works. You might be able to sell players that perform, but if it doesn't work out, wow.

And this hasn't worked out for Chelsea. They are now stuck with this team for the next five years.

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Carra: Chelsea look like a broken club

Chelsea look like a broken club, according to Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.

"It's shocking and it comes from the top. There's five or six really top players on the pitch today and they've been beaten by Nottingham Forest's B team.

"Less than 12 months ago, they were taking PSG to the cleaners.

"There's no connection between the players and the staff, the players and the fans.

"In some ways, it's a good thing because it tells you that football isn't just all about spending money, buying players and this revolving door.

"It's about creating togetherness and there's nothing there. They look like a broken football club right now."

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'I can't see a way out of this mess'

Image: It was a difficult afternoon for Calum McFarlane against Nottingham Forest

I just don't know how Chelsea are in this mess and I honestly can't see a way out.

Even if they get rid of players, how does that look for Financial Fair Play? Alejandro Garnacho hasn't pulled up any trees. they won't be getting their money back on him. Enzo Fernandez has appeared to court a move to Real Madrid. So, he seemingly wants to go, but I can't see how they get £100m for him unless he goes and wins the World Cup again.

Where does the money come from? How can this work for Chelsea?

You can't sit here and honestly say they will just sell a load of players and start again.

If there are players they want to let go, they will probably have to pay them off to go. That will cost money.

If they want new players in, that will cost money. They are stuck.

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'Who would want the Chelsea job?'

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Jamie Carragher and Thierry Henry look at who could potentially be Chelsea's next manager.

The next manager appointment is critical but it's going to be such hard work for whoever comes in.

They are one of the youngest teams in the league and the players are outrun every week. They have just lost six league games on the trot and have 20 players in the squad all on six-, seven-, eight-year deals. They are probably not going to finish above Brentford, Brighton and Bournemouth this season, Maybe even Everton and Fulham with the way things are going.

I really worry for Chelsea. Where are they going to be next season?

I don't care how good the new manager is, the players are not performing. The bare minimum is to run around but they are outrun in every game. I could understand if the players were 30, 31 or 32, but they are not. These players are at the start of their careers.

Henry: A manager needs time at Chelsea

Thierry Henry on Monday Night Football:

“What is the identity of Chelsea right now? At one point, you need to keep some type of a core to build around and see where you’re going.

“You also need give a manager to have time to show what he’s about. It took Mikel Arteta a little while to put things together at Arsenal.

“It’s time to give a manager time to be able to work and see what’s needed.”

Who takes this job?

It wasn't that long ago that Chelsea was the best job in the world for a manager. It's not now.

I don't see the days of Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel, that calibre of manager wanting the job anymore.

A top manager only has to have a look at the issues I just stated to know it's a club that's not in a good place.

Iraola, Silva and Alonso on Chelsea manager shortlist

Latest from Sky Sports News' Kaveh Solhekol:

Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and Xabi Alonso are among the managers Chelsea are discussing as potential replacements for Liam Rosenior this summer.

Chelsea believe there will be a bigger pool of high-calibre managers available this summer than there were last time they appointed a manager between seasons.

When Enzo Maresca got the job in June 2024, Kieran McKenna was the other candidate on their shortlist and neither manager had Premier League experience at the time.

Chelsea now want someone with Premier League experience and/or someone with a proven track record at a high level.