Paul Merson says Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea will now finish above Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in the top four this season following Moises Caicedo’s transfer.
On Sunday, Chelsea and Liverpool recorded a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, with Merson adding that the London club look ‘a hundred times better’ and how the Merseyside giants are ‘so open’.
Added with Moises Caicedo’s transfer to Stamford Bridge, he now thinks that Chelsea will secure top-four football this season, instead of the Reds, as he told Sky Sports.
Given that Todd Boehly is edging towards spending nearly £1bn at Chelsea, then you would imagine bringing Champions League football back to the club this season is a minimum.
But this Caicedo deal is huge, yes it’s another British record being smashed, but Chelsea have got their man over Liverpool – and yet another could arrive in Romeo Lavia.
On one hand, you have a Chelsea team being lifted by these transfers, whilst Liverpool are scratching their heads and getting a verbal beating from their club legends, as Merson also added his thoughts.
“Chelsea already look a hundred times better than last season,” said Merson. “And with Moises Caicedo moving to Stamford Bridge, they’ll finish in the top four instead of Liverpool.
“You could see in Sunday’s game that both clubs need Caicedo and that’s why he’s going for £115m. Is he worth that? Not for me, but Chelsea supporters won’t care how much they pay.
“Liverpool were so open. I just don’t see who is going to win the ball back for them. Conor Gallagher did a good job for Chelsea to break things up after a slow start, but Liverpool didn’t have that.
“If Liverpool had played one of the top sides, like Arsenal or Man City, on Sunday then they’d have been in trouble, it could have been four or five. They got ripped open a lot of times and were never punished.”
Big few weeks remain in the transfer market
As of this moment, Chelsea will have a big smile on their face regarding these transfer dealings, but there will be a lot of frustration at Anfield.
That’s why these next few weeks are crucial for both clubs, more so for Liverpool, who probably need two more midfield players before the window slams shut.
Liverpool saw last season how a poor summer transfer window can further affect what happens on the pitch and, after missing out on Champions League football last season, they can’t afford to go down the same road again.
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