Merson told Sportskeeda: “Chelsea are struggling so badly at the moment. I look at them and they are missing Nicolas Jackson quite badly. Without him, I don’t see a real pattern of play. Jackson’s absence is also affecting Cole Palmer, who has to drop deeper now.”

Chelsea are reportedly at risk of losing a number of key players this summer if they fall short of Champions League qualification, with talisman Cole Palmer's future also in doubt

Cole Palmer has been told three clubs he could join amid Chelsea ’s worrying slump. Chelsea were tipped to challenge for the Premier League title earlier in the season as they emerged as Liverpool ’s biggest rival at the top of the table.