Paul Merson has questioned Chelsea's decision to sell Kai Havertz and Mason Mount to Arsenal and Manchester United respectively. The duo are likely to bring in £120million for the Blues, but are strengthening teams likely to be challenging Mauricio Pochettino's side for a place in the top four next season.
Pochettino faces a big task in rejuvenating a squad which achieved the club's worst-ever Premier League finish in 12th place, and losing key players such as Mount will not have been an ideal start for the Argentine coach. The England international's exit was sealed on Wednesday in a move to Old Trafford worth an initial £55million plus £5million in potential add-ons, with Havertz having already signed for Arsenal in a move worth £65million.
Havertz has had bright sparks at Stamford Bridge, but has failed to fully deliver on his promise following his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial £62million. Mount, meanwhile, has lead the club statistics for minutes played, goals scored, assists and chances created since making his debut four years ago.
Merson says that allowing the two attackers to join direct rivals is not good business from Todd Boehly, despite below-par performances from the duo last season. He also states that while the Blues are building for the future with their business in the transfer market, there is no guarantee that the new arrivals will become stars at Stamford Bridge.
"Let's be honest, selling Mason Mount and Kai Havertz is not good business from Chelsea. I just don't get it," Merson told Sky Sports.
"It may make sense if Chelsea had to bring some money in, but there is no point getting money in at the expense of missing out on the top four, which itself will lose the club more money.
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"Manchester United and Arsenal are going to be in the mix for the top four next season along with Chelsea, so why would you weaken yourself by selling two of your best players to direct rivals?
"Chelsea fans will say Mount and Havertz didn't have great seasons last season, but they are proper players who will definitely improve the teams they go to.
"I could understand if they were sold to Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, but not to two enemies who are going to be fighting to be where you want to be just to get money in to keep on buying unproven kids.
"The way Chelsea are going about it, it's like they are trying to dominate football in five years' time, but we all know how football changes and these up-and-coming kids aren't guaranteed to be the stars of the future."
