The Chelsea manager is always under pressure, especially when his team performed as well as they did away to Everton.
Saturday’s performance in the 3-0 defeat was far from good enough, and of particular concern for Chelsea’s hierarchy is the perception among some Chelsea fans that the players do not appear to be playing for head coach Liam Rosenior.
There is no escape from this situation. Chelsea have had a terrible 10 days. They humiliated PSG with two defeats and were eliminated from the Champions League, and lost to Newcastle and Everton in the Premier League.
Fast forward to the beginning of last month, and the situation becomes even more worrying. Since February 3, Chelsea have played 12 games and won only three, against Wolves, Hull and Aston Villa.
That being said, we need to keep perspective. The games have been non-stop since Rosenior coached his first game on January 10th. He has managed a total of 19 games, with a record of 10 wins, 2 draws and 7 losses. However, it is no exaggeration to say that the owners were expecting more than that.
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Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior reflects on his team’s 3-0 defeat against Everton and talks about what went wrong for the Blues
If Chelsea continue like this, there is a strong possibility that they will miss out on the Champions League. If that happens, it will be a huge blow both on and off the pitch. The cost of missing out on Champions League qualification could be close to £100m, which would be a bitter pill to swallow for a club who, according to UEFA, had the biggest pre-tax deficit in English football history.
Chelsea fans are not alone in their displeasure with Rosenior. There is a real disconnect between the fans and the people running the club. Yes, fans have different opinions, but many feel that this is not the real Chelsea.
They are used to seeing a team with character, individuality and a never-give-up attitude, a team led by the best manager in the world.
At this point, those days seem like a long time ago. Chelsea fans are wondering why, after having a world-class manager in Thomas Tuchel and winning the Champions League in 2021, a new owner came in, scrapped everything and started anew.
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Free to watch: Highlights of the Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea
Some people can’t understand why Chelsea would buy a young player rather than someone with a proven track record in the Premier League. Why isn’t the goalkeeper situation resolved? Why don’t they sign an experienced centre-back?
Another big concern for fans is the quality of the managers appointed since Tuchel’s departure. Chelsea once used some of the best players in the world, including Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte.
One group of Chelsea fans are planning a protest ahead of their home game against Manchester United on April 18th, but this will be unique as supporters of Strasbourg, who have the same ownership group as Chelsea, will also be taking part.
Rosenior needs help on the pitch. Chelsea will play Port Vale in the FA Cup quarter-finals before facing Man City and Man United at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League. These matches between City and United will be crucial in the club’s bid to qualify for the Champions League.
At this stage last season, Chelsea had picked up a further five points and moved up two places in the table. It’s never too late to turn things around, but time is running out.
Melson: Chelsea players don’t share Rosenior’s views
Paul Merson of Sky Sports:
It’s been a bad month for Chelsea’s Liam Rosenior. They were now beaten in four games. They can’t win a single game.
There are ways to lose football matches, and the game at Everton was terrible, terrible. It didn’t seem like the players were really on the same page as the coach.
If Arn Slott were sacked at Liverpool this week, or if Eddie Howe left Newcastle, would Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior take either of those two jobs?
For that matter, will he even get an interview? That’s madness.
This Chelsea team is not well-received by the fans, who have been putting pressure on Rosenior since day one.
But the board will think that no matter what their plans are, Rosenior needs to be in the top five for them to be happy.
