Former Arsenal player Paul Merson has shocked fans by revealing his support for Chelsea, despite his cult hero status at Arsenal. Merson, who played for Arsenal from 1986 to 1997, expressed his allegiance to Chelsea last October, which left many Gooners stunned. In a separate development, Merson criticized Chelsea's decision to extend Cole Palmer's contract for nine years, questioning the wisdom of such a long commitment to a player after only one successful season. Palmer, who scored 25 goals and made 15 assists in 45 appearances last season, has been praised for his contributions but Merson warned that teams will now focus on stopping him. Merson's comments reflect broader concerns about Chelsea's transfer strategy and the implications of lengthy contracts for young players. He emphasized the unpredictability of a player's performance over such an extended timeframe.