They can't score, they can't win but can Liam Rosenior turn Chelsea’s ailing fortunes around?

Chelsea’s hopes of being in next season’s Champions League next season slipping after their latest defeat to Manchester United on Saturday. 

Head coach Liam Rosenior’s prospects of remaining at Stamford Bridge beyond the summer are also in doubt following the Blues’ dreadful run of form.

Here, DAZN News reporter Ross Heppenstall assesses how a bright start under Rosenior has given way to a mounting sense of doom and gloom.

A surprise appointment

Eyebrows were raised when Chelsea turned to Rosenior, then in charge of Strasbourg, after parting company with Enzo Maresca in early January.

Rosenior, 41, was handed a six-and-a-half-year deal by the BlueCo investment group who own Strasbourg and Chelsea.

His previous job in English football management ended in the sack at Hull City after they failed to make the Championship play-offs during the 2023-24 campaign.

Nevertheless, Rosenior impressed during his time at France and did not look out of place following his arrival at Stamford Bridge either.

When Chelsea thumped Aston Villa 4-1 at Villa Park on March 4, it marked the hosts’ heaviest home defeat for two years.

Moreover, it left Rosenior’s side in fifth spot and seemingly well placed to push on and finish in the Champions League places.

Champions League humiliation

Things began to unravel for Rosenior when Chelsea travelled to the French capital to play Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League.

The scores were level at 2-2 before a late collapse saw Luis Enrique’s men win 5-2 and leave Chelsea facing a mountainous task in the second leg.

At Stamford Bridge, the Blues were hammered 3-0 to leave them with a chastening 8-2 aggregate defeat.

Worryingly, Chelsea’s Premier League form has also tailed off quite badly after four successive losses to Newcastle, Everton, Manchester City and Manchester United.

With five games remaining, they lie sixth and seven points adrift of fifth-placed Liverpool.

Fernandez suspension under scrutiny

The wisdom of imposing an internal two-game suspension on Enzo Fernandez has been queried by many observers.

The hugely influential midfielder used the international break to flirt with Real Madrid, prompting Rosenior to ban him.

Asked last week's Sunday's defeat to City whether Fernandez could have made a difference had he been available, Rosenior replied: “Possibly. You see 20-20 in hindsight.

“There's nothing personal with Enzo. He will be back with the group on Tuesday.

“He is a top, top player and a really good guy. I’m really looking forward to having him back.”

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Can Rosenior halt the slide and save Chelsea’s season?

The Blues have lost six of their last seven games in all competitions and pressure is mounting on Rosenior.

More alarmingly, they've forgotten how to score goals. They've now gone four games in a row without hitting the back of the net, their worst run since 1998. 

The least that Chelsea expected was to qualify for the Champions League, but that is now in doubt following their recent slide.

Maresca, let it be remembered, guided the Blues to Conference League glory, Champions League qualification and FIFA Club World Cup success last year.

Rosenior has two targets to aim for now in as he bids to win the FA Cup and finish in the top five of the Premier League.

Chelsea face old adversaries Leeds United at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-finals later this month and face Liverpool in a potentially seismic encounter at Anfield on May 9.

That game was set to be a shoot-out for fifth spot and a lucrative place in next season’s Champions League, but it's now looking more likely that the West Londoners will have to settle for a Europa place. 

The failure to achieve the target could leave Rosenior perilously positioned with the club’s supporters and certainly the hierarchy.

Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who is making waves as manager of Serie A upstarts Como, has already been tipped as a potential replacement for Rosenior.

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After losing to City, Rosenior pleaded for time to make his mark, pointing to Guardiola and former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

He said: “Obviously I’m here and I need to win in this moment.

“This is a huge football club. When I first came, I never asked for a lot of time because I understand this club, I understand the traditions and the history of this club.

“I would like to have that time because I’m confident that within that time, you can create something very, very special within the time that it takes.

“Even someone as experienced as Pep or Jurgen Klopp when he won the titles he did at Liverpool, they had a year to sort things out. I’ve come in January.

“It’s not an excuse, it’s a reality. I need to win in the now and that’s what I’ll be focused on.”

With Brighton next up tonight, Rosenior is facing a huge battle to keep the wolves from the door.

 

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