Paul Merson has lambasted Chelsea's decision to allow experienced winger Willian to leave the club and join rivals Arsenal on a free transfer this summer.
The Brazil international's deal expired after an unsavoury contract stand-off brought an end to his seven-year Stamford Bridge spell, and his debut for Arsenal was marked by a hat-trick of assists against Fulham last weekend.
Merson says Chelsea have taken an unnecessary risk by not stopping Willian from walking away - and also insists Frank Lampard is now under pressure to deliver after a remarkable spending spree.
Chelsea were keen to keep Willian and thrash out an extension, but the 32-year-old had demanded a three-year deal. With the club only willing to offer him two years, Arsenal were able to capitalise and steal in.
'I cannot believe Chelsea let Willian go. I know they have gone out and got special players, but there is nothing to say they are going to hit the ground running,' Merson told Sky Sports.
'In Willian, you have got someone there who is ready-made. I like who they have signed, but they cost a lot of money, and their wages are probably the same as Willian.'
Willian won two Premier League trophies, an FA Cup, a Carabao Cup and the Europa League in west London before making the controversial move across the capital.
He starred on his top flight debut for his new club at Craven Cottage, while Timo Werner and Kai Havertz - two of Chelsea's big money signings - also made their bows in the scrappy win over Brighton.
Having sensationally splashed the cash to overhaul his ranks, Merson says that Chelsea's patience with Lampard may rapidly wear thin if he is unable to secure silverware soon.
He added: 'Frank Lampard has to win now. He has not got four years. That's management, I'm not being horrible.
'Even if Frank wins the league this year, it does not mean he is going to be there in four years. We know that and how it changes.
'Who is to say this is not going to take time for Chelsea? And I don't think they've got time at the moment.'
Am/too/toxic
464
Even Lampard left and he still scored against us... how much more willian
Echee27
439
Every pundit has been saying Lampard need to win silverware or face sack,.. now Paul Merson even claimed that even if Lampard win silverware, that he can't be Chelsea coach for four years which sounds so insulting,.. how I wish the owner of Chelsea can give Lampard much needed time whether he win silverware now or not, to prove those his enemies wrong and make them shoot their mouth up
danriwbik
430
Lampard be like: Guy mind ur business ooππ
kimkalvin
325
He's going to shine at arsenal and provide assists
stanny1
314
i never liked the way willian left but it was his choice he turned down the contract offered and searched for 3 years own you can't expect chelsea to tamper their policy just because of willian when it wasn't even tampered for legends like terry...drogba ...lampard ..even ivanovic ...so what's he saying they already gave tampered it and raised it to a 2years deal ...i wish him the best but i know we would succeed without him even if ziyech is injured i just hope CHO steps up
nusaelrstz
152
Williams have left Chelsea, but Chelsea Still remain one of the biggest Clubs. we appreciate his contributions while he was at Chelsea, he made his decision and we Chelsea respect his decision.we don't regret losing him and he will not regret leaving Chelsea. he will be remembered as one of our legend. I wish him good luck!!
Holuwhapamilerin
33
When WILLIAN want to go CHELSEA beg him to accept 2years contract but he did not accept, when he sign for ARSENAL he said he went to ARSENAL because of LUIZ, now he said if he know that SILVA will come to CHELSEA he will have stayed so what is CHELSEA fault KTBFFH π ππ π