Paul Merson Names the Big Problem Liam Rosenior Still Hasn’t Fixed at Chelsea After Leeds Draw

Chelsea were just minutes away from celebrating a fifth straight Premier League win under Liam Rosenior, but a dramatic late collapse against Leeds United has reopened an uncomfortable debate at Stamford Bridge. Despite the positive results and clear signs of progress, Paul Merson believes Rosenior is still dealing with a familiar Chelsea flaw – one that also haunted Enzo Maresca – the inability to deliver a complete 90-minute performance.

For long periods on Tuesday night, Chelsea looked exactly like a team on the rise. The football was sharp, the confidence was clear, and Leeds struggled to live with the speed and movement of Rosenior’s side. When Joao Pedro opened the scoring early in the second half with a classy finish, it felt like another routine win was loading. Cole Palmer then doubled the lead from the penalty spot after Leeds defender Jaka Bijol made a costly mistake, and Stamford Bridge began to relax.

At 2-0, Chelsea were in control. They were moving the ball with freedom, dominating possession, and limiting Leeds to very little. Rosenior looked set to continue his near-perfect start in the league. But football has a habit of turning quickly, and for Chelsea, six chaotic minutes changed everything.

Moises Caicedo, who has been one of Chelsea’s most consistent players this season, made an uncharacteristic error by tripping Jayden Bogle inside the box. Referee hesitation was brief before the penalty was given, and Lukas Nmecha calmly converted from the spot to give Leeds belief. Suddenly, Chelsea looked nervous. The calm and control from moments earlier disappeared, replaced by hesitation and confusion.

Before Chelsea could settle, the damage was done. A breakdown at the back allowed Noah Okafor to tap home from close range, completing Leeds’ comeback and silencing the home crowd. Chelsea tried to respond, and Palmer even missed a late chance that Rosenior later described as a “one in a thousand” miss. But the momentum had gone, and the points were shared.

While the draw did not undo Chelsea’s strong league position or Rosenior’s impressive early record, it did spark criticism from former Arsenal star and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson. Merson, who had predicted a comfortable Chelsea win, did not hold back in his post-match assessment.

He praised Chelsea’s first-half performance, comparing it to an exhibition. According to Merson, Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and Joao Pedro were moving the ball so quickly that Leeds simply could not get near them. Chelsea, in his words, looked like the Harlem Globetrotters of football, full of flair and confidence.

However, Merson’s tone changed sharply when discussing the second half. He argued that despite the change in manager, Chelsea are still struggling with the same issue that existed under Enzo Maresca. In his view, the team still cannot put together a full 90-minute performance at the required level. One strong spell is followed by lapses in focus, and against Premier League opponents, those moments are punished.

This criticism is uncomfortable, but it is not new. Even during Chelsea’s recent wins, there have been warning signs. West Ham scored twice in the first half of a game Chelsea eventually won 3-2. Wolves found a way through Chelsea’s defence at the weekend. Against Leeds, those small cracks turned into a full collapse.

What makes the criticism more powerful is that Rosenior himself is aware of the issue. The Chelsea boss has repeatedly spoken about his desire to see a complete performance. After previous matches, he pointed to short periods where his side switched off, lost concentration, or failed to manage the game properly. Against Leeds, those fears became reality.

Rosenior’s frustration was clear after the match. He spoke about the importance of key moments and how games can quickly change when focus is lost. He also highlighted the heavy schedule, with Chelsea playing ten games in 30 days, but made it clear that excuses are not his aim. His focus remains on improvement and turning good performances into consistent results.

Despite the setback, there is no panic around Stamford Bridge. Rosenior has collected 13 points from a possible 15 in the league, guided Chelsea comfortably into the Champions League last 16, and restored belief among the players and fans. The attacking football is exciting, Palmer is thriving, and Chelsea are firmly back in the top-four conversation.

However, as Paul Merson pointed out, progress alone is not enough at the highest level. Chelsea must learn how to kill games, manage pressure, and stay switched on from the first whistle to the last. Until that happens, the shadow of the Maresca era will continue to follow them.

The draw against Leeds may feel like a missed opportunity, but it could also serve as a valuable lesson. Rosenior is still early in his Chelsea journey, and fixing this 90-minute problem may be the final step in turning a promising team into a truly elite one. For now, the football is exciting, the results are mostly positive, but the challenge remains clear – Chelsea must learn how to finish what they start.