Paul Merson thinks Chelsea’s lack of penetration in attack could jeopardise their chances of finishing in the top four this season.

The Sky Sports pundit says the lack of link-up play between Timo Werner and Mason Mount is symptomatic of the issues that the Blues are facing up front, and it may cost them a Champions League place:

“Thomas Tuchel needs to get Mason Mount and Timo Werner playing closer together for Chelsea. 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.”

Merson does say he believes manager Thomas Tuchel will go on to get things right eventually but Chelsea are still very much a work in progress under the German.

The game against Manchester United, and their subsequent fixture versus Liverpool on Thursday, will give us a big indication as to whether they can secure a top-four position.

Today’s match at Stamford Bridge, in particular, will be tricky to negotiate, with the Red Devils having not lost on a road this campaign. Securing the three points would, therefore, be a massive confidence boost