Mason Mount: Chelsea gifting Man Utd top four

Carlo Garganese

• 5 Jul 2023 12:47 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal legend Paul Merson has slammed Chelsea for their decision to sell Mason Mount and Kai Havertz to rival clubs, fearing it may cost the Blues a top four place.

Over the past week, Chelsea have sanctioned the big-money sales of Mount and Havertz to Manchester United and Arsenal, respectively.

Mount completed his £60 million move to Man Utd on Wednesday, while Havertz made the switch last weekend to Arsenal for £65m.

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Merson cannot understand why Chelsea would decide to sell these two players to Premier League rivals, believing it could prove the difference in the race to finish in the top four.

What did Merson say about Mount and Havert/

"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.

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"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.

"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?

“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."

Arsenal finished second in 2022-23, while Manchester United were in third position.

Chelsea, meanwhile, endured a disastrous season as they finished way off the Champions League places in 12th.

The Blues have been very active in the selling market so far this summer, also offloading the likes of Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly.