Merson told Sportskeeda: “Chelsea are struggling so badly at the moment. I look at them and they are missing Nicolas Jackson quite badly. Without him, I don’t see a real pattern of play. Jackson’s absence is also affecting Cole Palmer, who has to drop deeper now.”

Chelsea are reportedly at risk of losing a number of key players this summer if they fall short of Champions League qualification, with talisman Cole Palmer's future also in doubt

Cole Palmer does not have a release clause which activates if Chelsea miss out on a place in next season’s Champions League, according to reports. Chelsea currently sit sixth in the Premier League and just one point behind fourth-placed Manchester City.