Merson: Blues are in a mess, who would want the manager's job at Stamford Bridge

Paul Merson says Chelsea's project isn't working and he has questioned whether a top manager would want to come to Stamford Bridge with the club in such a "mess".

Chelsea suffered a sixth Premier League defeat in a row for the first time since 1993 with the 3-1 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest, a result which means it is now impossible for them to finish in the top five and qualify automatically for the Champions League.

There is also the increasing likelihood that they will struggle to finish high enough to make either of the other two European competitions, after defeat to a Forest side showing eight changes saw them drop to ninth, with a visit to Anfield to play Liverpool up next.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Merson discussed Chelsea's predicament and how they are going to struggle to come through it. He also considered who might be the next manager at the club, suggesting the top coaches in the world won't want to come to Chelsea anymore.

Read on for the Magic Man's thoughts on Chelsea in full...

'Brighton was bad, Forest defeat even worse'

I was at Stamford Bridge. Wow.

I thought the defeat to Brighton was bad, but it got even worse against Nottingham Forest. It was terrible.

Chelsea finishing the season strongly and potentially winning the FA Cup seems a million miles away.

I know it's a one-off game but Man City look far too strong for Chelsea.

The game against Forest was a massive opportunity for Chelsea. they could have really closed in on sixth, which could still be a Champions League spot.

But now, Brentford are above Chelsea and we've had 35 games this season. That is extraordinary for me.

'The project isn't working'

Chelsea have gone with a project that if it doesn't work, you've had it. The players all have six-, seven- and eight-year deals.

If that doesn't work, it becomes so hard to sell a player. It's going to be a real struggle to get anyone out the door.

Also, they have brought all these players in on lesser money on longer-term deals, but in the end, they have to give them big money. None of it makes any sense.

They have just given Moises Caicedo big money, Reece James had a new deal and Cole Palmer signed a new deal, but they were already on long-term deals. I just can't see how it works. You might be able to sell players that perform, but if it doesn't work out, wow.

And this hasn't worked out for Chelsea. They are now stuck with this team for the next five years.

'I can't see a way out of this mess'

I just don't know how Chelsea are in this mess and I honestly can't see a way out.

Even if they get rid of players, how does that look for Financial Fair Play? Alejandro Garnacho hasn't pulled up any trees. they won't be getting their money back on him. Enzo Fernandez has appeared to court a move to Real Madrid. So, he seemingly wants to go, but I can't see how they get £100m for him unless he goes and wins the World Cup again.

Where does the money come from? How can this work for Chelsea?

You can't sit here and honestly say they will just sell a load of players and start again.

If there are players they want to let go, they will probably have to pay them off to go. That will cost money.

If they want new players in, that will cost money. They are stuck.

'Who would want the Chelsea job?'

The next manager appointment is critical but it's going to be such hard work for whoever comes in.

They are one of the youngest teams in the league and the players are outrun every week. They have just lost six league games on the trot and have 20 players in the squad all on six-, seven-, eight-year deals. They are probably not going to finish above Brentford, Brighton and Bournemouth this season, Maybe even Everton and Fulham with the way things are going.

I really worry for Chelsea. Where are they going to be next season?

I don't care how good the new manager is, the players are not performing. The bare minimum is to run around but they are outrun in every game. I could understand if the players were 30, 31 or 32, but they are not. These players are at the start of their careers.

Who takes this job?

It wasn't that long ago that Chelsea was the best job in the world for a manager. It's not now.

I don't see the days of Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel, that calibre of manager wanting the job anymore.

A top manager only has to have a look at the issues I just stated to know it's a club that's not in a good place.