Paul Merson Criticizes Chelsea's Cautious Approach in Carabao Cup Semi-Final Defeat

Chelsea's lackluster performance in their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in the EFL Cup semi-final has come under fire from pundit Paul Merson, who expressed disbelief at the team's conservative tactics. Merson was particularly flabbergasted that Chelsea, needing a goal to force extra time after a 4-2 aggregate deficit from the first leg, opted for a cautious strategy instead of pushing for more aggressive play.

Despite having 14 shots during the match, Chelsea managed only two on target, which Merson deemed unacceptable for a club of their stature. He emphasized that they "went out with a whimper," suggesting they should have fought more vigorously to stay competitive in such a high-stakes match.

Arsenal, on the other hand, capitalized on Chelsea's hesitation, with Kai Havertz scoring a late goal to secure victory. Merson criticized Chelsea for playing "in second gear" during the semi-final, questioning their mentality in a cup competition.

Liam Rosenior, Chelsea’s head coach, defended his tactical decisions, noting the importance of psychological preparation and admitting that while the plan did not yield results, the effort from the players was commendable. He emphasized the need to find positives moving forward, but Merson's comments underline the frustration felt by fans and pundits alike regarding Chelsea's current approach and performance levels.