Paul Merson has slammed Chelsea’s decision to sell Mason Mount and Kai Havertz to direct rivals Manchester United and Arsenal.

“Let’s be honest, selling Mason Mount and Kai Havertz is not good business from Chelsea. I just don’t get it,” Merson wrote for 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.

“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.”