ARSENAL legend Paul Merson was left baffled by Chelsea’s cautious approach in the League Cup semi-final second leg.
The Blues went to the Emirates trailing 3-2 from last month’s first leg at Stamford Bridge.
Despite his side’s deficit, Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior opted to begin the match with a cautious back five formation – while also resting key man Reece James.
Merson, a boyhood Blues fan, couldn’t believe how passive they were.
Following Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat, Merse said on Sky Sports: “I’m flabbergasted. I can’t believe what I’ve just watched.
“Chelsea aren’t a bottom-five team. They have World Cup winners.
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“(Wesley) Fofana is crying. He should be crying because they never had a go. They’ve gone out with a whimper in a semi-final.
“It hasn’t worked. Go out in a blaze of glory, don’t go out like that.”
Chelsea threw bodies forward late on, only for old boy Kai Havertz to score the only goal of the game on the break deep into second half stoppage time.
Speaking after the match, Blues boss Rosenior hit back at the criticism.
The former Strasbourg and Hull boss, 41, said: “I’ve been a pundit. It’s easy. It’s easy in hindsight.
“If I go and attack the game, press really high and we can see two goals early, everyone says, ‘what’s he doing?’
“That’s the reality of my job. The reality of my job is if you lose games, you’ll be criticised.
“If you win, you’re a genius. It’s normally somewhere in between.
“We’ve had a lot to contend with the last couple of days, a couple of fitness tests this morning.
“I named the team this afternoon when I had the full details of who was available. I have to give the players so much credit.
“Our schedule has been incredible. So for them, to put in the energy, the fight, the spirit was there.”
Many fans sided with Merse on Chelsea’s selection.
One wrote on X: “Rosenior has received a lot of plaudits. Mostly justified. But…….hes played 5 at the back for 55 minutes to keep it tight forgetting the fact that we actually lost the first leg! Bizarre.
“Go toe to toe and have a go! lose 5-2, 4-2, 3-2. Doesn’t matter but at least have a go.”
While a second fumed: “Lost a game we had to win whilst creating no good chances and that’s acceptable? #RoseniorOut.”
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