Paul Merson claims Chelsea selling Mason Mount and Kai Havertz is ‘NOT A GOOD deal’… as he attacks their transfer policy, insisting they ‘keep buying kids not proven”
- Chelsea sold Mason Mount and Kai Havertz for huge fees this summer
- Mount joined Man United for £60m, while Havertz moved to Arsenal for £65m
- But, Paul Merson insisted the decision to sell the pair was not the right decision
Paul Merson has slammed Chelsea for selling both Mason Mount and Kai Havertz this summer and insisted it was “not a good deal” for the club.
After splashing out over £600m last season, the Blues have been looking to recoup some cash from sales as they aim to meet FFP demands.
Several experienced and star names have already left this summer, including N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy, while Mount and Havertz – both 24 – joined Manchester United and Arsenal for 60 and 65 respectively million pounds.
However, despite bringing in a substantial amount of money from these departures, Merson did not believe the moves made sense for a variety of reasons.
“Let’s be honest, selling Mason Mount and Kai Havertz is not good business from Chelsea. I just don’t get it,’ he told Sky Sports.
Paul Merson claimed Chelsea selling Mason Mount and Kai Havertz was ‘not a good deal’
Mount (left) joined Man United for £60m, while Havertz (right) moved to Arsenal for £65m
“It might make sense if Chelsea were to bring in the money, but there’s no point in getting the money at the expense of missing out on the front four, which itself will cause the club to lose more money.
“Manchester United and Arsenal are going to be in the top four next season with Chelsea, so why would you weaken yourself by selling two of your best players to direct rivals?”
“Chelsea fans will say that Mount and Havertz didn’t have good seasons last term, but they are good players who will certainly improve the teams they go to.”
Merson also criticized Chelsea’s wider transfer strategy which has seen the Blues bring in several highly rated young players over the past 12 months.
In January alone, they brought in Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana, Andrey Santos, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Malo Gusto and Enzo Fernandez – seven players aged 22 or under – for over £300million.
So far this summer they have splashed £32m and £52m on Villarreal striker Nicolas Jackson, 22, and RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku, 25, respectively.
Merson added: “I could understand if they (Mount and Havertz) were sold to Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, but not to two enemies who are going to fight to be where you want to be just to get money for keep buying unproven kids.
Merson also criticized Chelsea’s transfer strategy which has seen them sign several young starlets from around the world such as Mykhailo Mudryk (left) and Enzo Fernandez (right).
Merson felt that Mount probably felt disrespectful to be treated differently from the new additions.
“The way Chelsea are going about it is like trying to dominate football five years from now, but we all know how football changes and these promising kids aren’t guaranteed to be the stars of the future.
‘Mount probably thought, ‘why am I being treated differently than everyone else, why am I not getting the money these other players are getting?’ Let’s remember that he was the team’s best player last year and won player of the year twice.
He continued: “I can’t believe only one club was after Mount. He has proven himself in the Premier League, before his injury last season, he was a starter for England and he was the best player in a good Chelsea team.
“Meanwhile Arsenal should be buzzing with Kai Havertz, he makes them a better team.
“The only problem I could see with Havertz is that IIf you have a good game, Havertz looks sleek, silky smooth, but if he’s not doing well, people will say he’s not running or trying. That’s his only problem, but make no mistake, he improves Arsenal.
