Paul Merson has warned that Chelsea’s Champions League hopes—and even the future of their manager—could be on the line in their next two fixtures against Southampton and Leicester City.

“If they don’t win their next two games, the manager won’t be there,” Merson stated.

“They’re playing against two of the worst teams to play in the Premier League for I don’t know how long in Southampton and Leicester. So, if they don’t win those two games, he will do well to keep his job.”

Chelsea currently sit seventh in the Premier League table with 43 points from 26 matches, leaving them in a tough battle to secure a top-five finish, which could be enough to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Merson also highlighted how crucial Champions League qualification is for keeping top players like Cole Palmer at Stamford Bridge.

“Chelsea have got to get in the Champions League. They need the Champions League to keep players like Cole Palmer as he will want to play in that competition,” he added.

The former Arsenal star questioned Chelsea’s long-term strategy, particularly their reliance on lengthy contracts for young players without clear signs of improvement.

He said: “They will have to finish in the top five, otherwise I dread to think what’s going to happen. I just don’t see what the plan is. All the seven-year contracts and these players are not getting any better. How many of them have been a major success?”

With a crucial run of fixtures ahead, Chelsea will need to prove Merson wrong or risk further instability both on and off the pitch.