Chelsea under Todd Boehly have a new policy of signing potentials.

So far, it has backfired, as the Blues have struggled for two seasons in a row.

Paul Merson has torn into Chelsea’s recruitment policy and the long-term contracts given to players under the Todd Boehly ownership.

Paul Merson has slammed the policy, as it has now affected Chelsea’s financial state, with the club needing to sell home-grown players.

Paul Merson said: “It’s a waste of time talking about who Chelsea could sign to make things better. How can they?

“They’ll have to sell their home-grown players like Conor Gallagher, who’s played every game and captains the team. He’s been one of their most consistent and best players.

“They’ll probably be able to sell Gallagher for £40-50m and then because of the silly rules they’ll be able to buy someone from abroad for £100m.

“The player they are going to buy isn’t going to be better than what he is. That would just sum Chelsea up. It’s a bad cycle they have put themselves in. I don’t know what they were doing.

“We saw it against Arsenal, Kai Havertz is better than what Chelsea have got. So why would you sell someone and bring in players that are not better than what you’ve already got?

“Oh, I know. Sorry. Because in five years’ time they will be better. Where is the thinking in this? Seven and eight-year contracts? Oh my god, it’s not baseball. You’re not buying a pitcher.

“I can’t believe what I’m watching. Chelsea have got this for seven years now. Seven years.”