What happens is…” – Sky pundit explains why Chelsea’s attack has failed totally

Why Chelsea’s Attack Has Completely Collapsed—Expert Analyst Explains

Football pundit Paul Merson has shared deep insights into Chelsea’s ongoing struggles in attack, shedding light on the tactical issues that have left the team ineffective in front of goal.

Over the last two matches against Brighton, Chelsea has managed just a single shot on target—an unintended deflection from Cole Palmer. This alarming statistic underscores the team’s offensive breakdown, and Merson believes he has pinpointed the root cause.

“I said before the match that I would’ve been satisfied with a draw. The absence of Nicolas Jackson is a huge problem. Palmer and Jackson complement each other perfectly—one elevates the other’s performance. Some might argue that Palmer is an exceptional player regardless, but football is a team game. A player’s effectiveness depends on those around him,” Merson explained.

He further broke down the tactical dilemma: “Right now, Chelsea lacks movement. Jackson is the kind of player who constantly makes forward runs, stretching the defense and creating space. When he does this, Palmer exploits the gaps, making the attack more fluid. But now, with Christopher Nkunku dropping deep and Palmer also coming short, the entire attack becomes congested. It’s predictable and easy to defend against. I watched Chelsea against West Ham last week, and Palmer was so deep, he was collecting the ball from the center-backs! West Ham had no reason to worry—what kind of threat could he pose from that position?”

Merson’s analysis highlights a crucial flaw in Chelsea’s attacking structure: without Jackson’s dynamic movement, the team’s offensive rhythm collapses, leaving them toothless in front of goal. Unless Mauricio Pochettino finds a tactical solution, Chelsea’s scoring woes may continue.