Former England midfielder Paul Merson has questioned the logic of Chelsea selling Kai Havertz and Mason Mount to direct rivals, calling it "not good business".
The Blues have begun an overhaul after finishing 12th last season, with several players already offloaded before Mauricio Pochettino's first game as manager. However, while the likes of Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly have moved to the Saudi Pro League, Havertz and Mount are staying in England.
German international Havertz has completed a £65m move to Arsenal to become the first new Gunners recruit of the summer. And with Mount on his way to Man Utd, Chelsea have brought in more than £100m for the pair, but Merson has his reservations.
"Let's be honest, selling Mason Mount and Kai Havertz is not good business from Chelsea. I just don't get it," Merson told Sky Sports. "It may make sense if Chelsea had to bring some money in, but there is no point getting money in at the expense of missing out on the top four, which itself will lose the club more money.
"Manchester United and Arsenal are going to be in the mix for the top four next season along with Chelsea, so why would you weaken yourself by selling two of your best players to direct rivals? I could understand if they were sold to Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, but not to two enemies who are going to be fighting to be where you want to be just to get money in to keep on buying unproven kids."
Chelsea have already made their first summer signings as they attempt to climb the table under Pochettino. Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson have joined from RB Leipzig and Villarreal respectively, while an agreement has been reached to add wonderkid Kendry Paez in 2025.
Are Chelsea making a mistake selling Havertz and Mount? Have your say in the comments section
Merson also suggested Chelsea's treatment of Mount can help explain his desire to move on. Having failed to agree terms on a new deal, he would have been able to leave for free next summer.
"Mount has probably thought, 'why am I getting treated differently to everyone else, why am I not getting the money these other players are getting?' Let's remember, he was the best player in the team the year before last and won Player of the Year twice.
With the Mount sale taking Chelsea's incomings north of £150m, Pochettino has been tipped to reinvest in key positions. One of those is central midfield, with Mateo Kovacic, N'Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek moving on, and Merson believes the Blues are "crying out for reinforcements" in the area.
Chelsea are off to the United States for their pre-season tour, where they will take on the likes of Wrexham and Caicedo's Brighton before the end of July. Their Premier League campaign kicks off on August 13, when they face Liverpool in Pochettino's first competitive game at the helm, and they will hope to have more bodies in place by then..
