Chelsea were very poor against Sunderland and one pundit is not happy with what he’s seeing from the players on their team.

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Paul Merson always has interesting views on Chelsea, and the Sky pundit’s column today looks back at another disappointing result.

The Blues were beaten by Sunderland before the international break, and frustrations with the early stages of Xabi Alonso’s reign at the club grew.

“I was very disappointed with Chelsea’s performance at Sunderland. Very disappointed. They didn’t play anywhere near the level they’re capable of,” Merson wrote.

“I’m not taking anything away from Sunderland at the same time, they were very good – and they played like they did last season when they were flying. But this is Chelsea. You can’t have one good week, one bad week at this football club.”

“Huge, massive failure” on the cards for Chelsea

Sadly “one good week, one bad week” is how it’s gone all season. And for a few years now, in fact.

“The consistency they’re showing at the moment is not enough for top-five football. And Chelsea’s aim is to get in the Champions League,” he continued.

“And if they don’t get into the Champions League, it would be a massive, massive failure. A huge, massive failure.”

We couldn’t agree more. We’ve lowered our standards gradually in the last few years to the point where top five is our only aim. Fail to achieve that, in a season without European football, and that really would be a catastrophe.

In other news…

The demolition of Chelsea’s back line by Sunderland shows how much the Blues need a new centra back in January says one former scout.

Chelsea have been linked with interest in Martin Zubimendi, the Arsenal midfielder currently out of favour at the Emirates.