Rosenior must 'go for the kill', says Melchiotpublished at 16:20 BST 13 April
16:20 BST 13 April
Image source, Getty Images
Former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot believes Liam Rosenior has to do more to try to win matches instead of slowing down the game.
The Blues currently sit sixth and have lost three straight Premier League games under Rosenior after an impressive unbeaten run when he first joined the club.
Speaking on BBC 5 Live Breakfast, Melchiot said: "The situation for the coach is everyone can talk about it, but when you take a ship that you have to readjust because you're a new coach, you have a different way of looking at things.
"When he started, it was always going to be difficult and now also because you're watching a team like Chelsea, they have to go all the way. [Mauricio] Pochettino had that at the end, you were saying they have to go and win games. Then [Enzo] Maresca came and he went all the way with this team, and he said, 'no, we have to finish games off'.
"When I look now at Rosenior, he has to do the same thing, he has to go for the kill. You cannot always struggle and slow things down and wait. You've got to be really penetrating. If you don't do that, this is where Chelsea's biggest weakness is now. They've got to score goals, and instead of looking good, you've got to be good. "
Chelsea 0-3 Manchester City - the fans' verdictpublished at 12:22 BST 13 April
12:22 BST 13 April
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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Chelsea and Manchester City.
Here are some of your comments:
Chelsea fans
Paul: Sorry, but Chelsea are simply not good enough under Rosey! I am sick of being bored rigid by his style of play - we should remove the lion from our badge and put a crab on it as we always seem to be going sideways with pathetic, pointless possession play!
Stan: Clubs buy players to improve the team, whereas Chelsea have done the opposite and made the team worse. It's difficult being a Chelsea supporter this season.
David: Same old problems - many chances missed - leaking defence. The manager promises improvements. When? You cannot put an inexperienced Premier League manager in a supposedly first-class team.
James: Based on this, Chelsea don't deserve to play Champions League football next season. Qualifying is going to be a tall order now given the points gap down to 11th and other teams are coming into form just as Chelsea continue to falter.
Manchester City fans
Eamonn: A re-run of the League Cup Final really, with the bonus of an extra goal. Great to see Kovacic on the pitch again and let's hope O'Reilly's substitution was only precautionary. One game at a time, City.
David: Outstanding patience and a killer instinct from City. They'll win the Premier League from here. Arsenal will be shaking in their shoes before next weekend's showdown at the Etihad.
John: I don't think Pep will have needed to rant at half-time, the players will have known how sloppy and careless they were with the ball in the first half. Second half, they moved up a couple of gears with Chelsea visibly shrinking in confidence and ideas. A good performance by all the players, which will only add to their current level of confidence. Let's hope that Nico O'Reilly is not badly injured.
Mark: This was a vital win for City after Arsenal's defeat on Saturday. Next Sunday will be interesting!
Is Garnacho living up to early promise?published at 08:45 BST 13 April
08:45 BST 13 April
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Alejandro Garnacho has multiple tattoos depicting Stranger Things - his favourite show - but unlike many of its characters, he is being forced to wait for his coming-of-age journey at Chelsea.
The 21-year-old is struggling to stand out among the cast at Stamford Bridge, having been linked with a transfer away and having drawn criticism for his lack of output in attack and for switching off defensively.
Garnacho has started just seven of Liam Rosenior's first 20 games in charge, with opportunities often coming in cup games against lesser opposition such as Pafos, Charlton, Hull City and Wrexham.
His best moment this season came in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at home to Arsenal, when he struck twice as his side were beaten 3-2, eventually losing the tie 4-2 on aggregate.
He is currently averaging one goal every 4.6 games - a slight improvement on his return of one goal every 5.5 games for Manchester United across all competitions.
Eight goals and four assists in 37 appearances this season is a reasonable tally. However, a return of just one strike in 20 Premier League appearances, while underperforming his expected-goals figure of 3.11 from 28 shots, paints a less encouraging picture.
He has also been criticised for switching off at set-pieces and failing to track back in Chelsea's league defeats by Brentford, Bournemouth and West Ham.
Garnacho acknowledged he is yet to reach his peak in a recent interview with Premier League Productions, adding: "There's a lot more to come, this is just the start.
"I joined two months after the rest without a pre-season and then you also need time to adapt to a different club. Sometimes the first season is harder, but I will work very hard in the games we have left.
"I know what I can do and the most important thing is having the confidence in the player I can be. Of course, in football you have to show it so that's what I have to do."
Yet the statistics suggest the Argentina international is hardly moving forward quickly, following the early promise of his Manchester United debut at the age of 17 in 2022.
Gossip: Chelsea set to enter transfer battle for Kroupipublished at 07:53 BST 13 April
07:53 BST 13 April
Chelsea and Liverpool are set to battle it out for 19-year-old Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi, with the Cherries willing to accept an offer in the region of £60m. (Caught Offside, external)
Fernandez returns after team-mate talks - Roseniorpublished at 20:35 BST 12 April
20:35 BST 12 April
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Fernandez was given an internal two-game ban by Chelsea for his comments over international duty
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior says Enzo Fernandez is available for selection again after overcoming his final "hurdle" by talking to the player leadership group.
The 25-year-old vice-captain served a two-game internal ban, missing the FA Cup win over Port Vale and Sunday's 3-0 home defeat by Manchester City.
Fernandez had suggested he was interested in a move to Madrid in three interviews during international duty with Argentina, while being linked with Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Rosenior said: "I'm looking forward to having him back next week. Sometimes you make decisions not based on the short term, but on what you want to see in the long term.
"It was a long-term decision made by myself, the directors and the club, alongside the leadership group of players, to make sure our values and our culture are in the right place for the future."
Asked whether Chelsea could have benefited from having Fernandez available on Sunday, Rosenior replied: "Possibly, possibly."
He then explained the final "hurdle" the midfielder had to overcome, which he cryptically referenced in his pre-match news conference, explaining he needed to speak with the leadership group, including players like Reece James, Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer, Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill.
"The hurdle I spoke about was that Enzo wanted to have a conversation with the leadership group - the main players - and speak to the squad," added Rosenior.
"At the time of the press conference, he hadn't done that yet. He has now spoken with me, the leadership group and all of the players, and we look forward to welcoming him back."
Chelsea are sixth in the Premier League and next face Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Analysis: Should Blues be looking over their shoulders?published at 19:46 BST 12 April
19:46 BST 12 April
Nizaar Kinsella Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Much of the focus has been on Chelsea's ambitions to qualify for the Champions League, but they may need to start looking over their shoulders at the teams behind them.
Four defeats in five Premier League matches, and just one win in seven, have left Chelsea in sixth place and drifting, even behind an inconsistent Liverpool side, who are four points clear in the final Champions League spot.
In fact, Chelsea are closer to 11th-placed Bournemouth (with the gap just three points) than they are Liverpool.
And the two teams directly beneath the Blues - seventh-placed Brentford and Everton in eighth - are just a point behind them and both in superior form.
Some of the scrutiny for Chelsea's late-season struggles will fall on Liam Rosenior. He set his side up well for the first 45 minutes, surprising Pep Guardiola's team with a counter-attacking approach. However, once Guardiola had time to adjust at the interval, Chelsea were blown away.
Forwards such as Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto and Estevao Willian have failed to provide decisive moments - leaving them goalless and defeated for three games for the first time in over 18 years, while defensively they have not kept a clean sheet in five home matches.
Rosenior has not had the benefit of a pre-season and it remains early in his tenure. However, Enzo Maresca's departure in January, following a falling out with club hierarchy, was unplanned and has proven disruptive.
In recent weeks, Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella have spoken about how destabilising the managerial change has been.
Enzo Fernandez also talked publicly about wanting to move to Madrid one day, comments which were poorly received inside the club. He was handed an internal two-match ban and missed Sunday's game.
Away from the pitch, a fringe protest group, Not A Project FC, are planning to demonstrate before the upcoming home match against Manchester United. They are expected to march jointly with supporters from French club Strasbourg, who are also under BlueCo ownership.
It will not be lost on Chelsea that they are without a win in 10 games against the era's standard-setters City. Not since beating City in the 2021 Champions League final have Chelsea tasted success against Guardiola, with only Reece James left in the squad from those days.
That record underlines why Chelsea can no longer be considered title contenders, and reflects a lingering inferiority complex after being overtaken by a richer and more successful rival.
With players and fans increasingly frustrated, and momentum firmly negative, there is a real question over whether Chelsea will qualify for European football at all, not just the Champions League.
Chelsea 0-3 Man City: What Rosenior saidpublished at 19:36 BST 12 April
19:36 BST 12 April
Media caption,
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior speaking to Sky Sports after his team's defeat by Manchester City: "Not good enough in the second half. We didn't start well. Had moments to clear the box and keep the ball, but we didn't. They were camped in our half for the first five minutes and then we concede a goal.
"Then it's a similar story for the past month now in terms of dealing with setbacks. If you go down against teams as good as this, what you have to do for the next five minutes is to stay in the game. It ended up being a really, really difficult second half."
On building resilience in the team: "I am accountable. This is a group. It's something we need to improve. It starts with your habits and values. I can't say there was a lack of effort. But there was a lack of confidence in the second half. We have to improve. We are in a difficult place at the moment and we have got another huge game next week.
"We can't forget that we were playing against a team in massive form pushing for the title. But we need to win games like this. That's why I have come to the club. When you make these errors, the feeling and flow of the game changes. We have to make sure we need to do better in those moments if you want to win a game of football.
"It's not an excuse for the second half performance. But if that [Marc Cucurella] goal goes in, we go up in terms of confidence and energy. But we have to be more resilient to setbacks. You can go a goal down but you have to stay in the game - that's what disappointed me the most."
On whether he missed midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who was sanctioned by the club: "Any team will miss Enzo. Myself backed by the leadership group and sporting directors made a decision for the long-term of the club.
"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. Really looking forward to having him back."
On whether there are unresolved issues with Fernandez: "The hurdle I spoke about. Enzo wanted to have a conversation with the leadership group - the main players of the group - and speak to the players. The time I had the press conference, he hadn't done that yet.
"He has spoken with me, the leadership group and all of the players and we look forward to welcoming him back."
Did you know?
Chelsea remain winless in each of their last 10 Premier League meetings with Manchester City (D3 L7), their longest current streak without victory against an opponent in the competition.
Chelsea have lost back-to-back Premier League home matches (also 0-1 vs Newcastle) for the first time since September 2023 under Mauricio Pochettino – today was their heaviest loss at Stamford Bridge since April 2022 (1-4 vs Brentford).
Manchester City make just one change from the 4-0 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup.
They bring back Gianluigi Donarumma for James Trafford in goal.
However, Pep Guardiola keeps the same outfield players, including an exciting front four of Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki, Jeremie Doku and Erling Haaland.
Man City XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O'Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo, Semenyo, Cherki, Doku, Haaland
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Sunderland v Tottenham" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Manchester City".
Sutton's predictions: Chelsea v Man Citypublished at 10:15 BST 12 April
10:15 BST 12 April
I don't agree with Liam Rosenior's treatment of Enzo Fernandez. All players have dreams of playing for big clubs and, while Chelsea are a big club, if a player says he wants to play for Real Madrid then you don't leave them out of the side.
I always think about these things from a player's point of view and, whether it was the manager's call to drop him or not, Rosenior isn't going to endear himself to Fernandez by doing that.
On top of that, Fernandez is not just a good player, he is one of Chelsea's best.
He scored the last-gasp equaliser when they drew at Manchester City in January, and now Rosenior is leaving him out of a massive game which could improve or lessen his team's hopes of making it into the Champions League.
It just seems like a really bad decision all-round.
This is a huge game for City too. Everyone seems to be getting carried away with them because of their past two results - against Arsenal at Wembley and Liverpool in the FA Cup - but their form before those games was much less impressive.
I really want the Premier League title race to go the distance this season, so I'm still going to back City to win this.
But, if I end up losing the predictions title race, it will be because of this game. I wouldn't be surprised if City drop points here.
Rosenior on Fernandez apology, fitness issues and Caicedo's milestonepublished at 14:46 BST 10 April
14:46 BST 10 April
Flora Snelson BBC Sport journalist
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge (kick-off 16:30 BST).
Rosenior said: "I've not been questioning his character, or who he is as a person. I believe people make mistakes."
He added: "There are certain values and cultures that I believe in that make the team stronger if you get them right."
Trevoh Chalobah is back on the pitch, Levi Colwill is in full training and Reece James has been running - but none of them will be available against City.
After the international break, Rosenior says that "a magician" would have struggled to make the team he wants with the time he's had, noting that it's the first time he's had two clear training days consecutively since taking charge.
Before Moises Caicedo's 100th appearance, Rosenior said he is "one of the best - if not the best - defensive midfield player in world football".
He praised Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola: "Pep has influenced everyone in football. He's an unbelievable coach, who's had an unbelievable career - but I want my team to show what they're capable of on Sunday."
Rosenior said that he watched Chelsea's draw at City at the airport as he prepared to fly to London to consider the Blues' managerial vacancy.
Rosenior's delicate position as he faces coaching idolpublished at 11:49 BST 10 April
11:49 BST 10 April
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Chelsea beat Port Vale 7-0 in their last match but lost their last league game 3-0 at Everton
Chelsea and Liam Rosenior find themselves in a delicate position as the season draws to a close.
There will be several themes feeding into this afternoon's media conference at Cobham at 13:30 BST, most notably the pressure and potential consequences of failing to qualify for the Champions League via a strong Premier League finish.
Making matters more difficult is the visit of Manchester City, title contenders, to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
It forms part of a challenging run of seven fixtures, which also includes matches against Manchester United and Liverpool.
However, with Chelsea sixth in the Premier League, facing those sides above them means qualification remains in their own hands and a top five finish is now good enough to assure a return to Europe's top table.
There is also the issue of Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah's ongoing fitness problems, while Enzo Fernandez is serving a two-match internal suspension, with his agent having publicly called for it to be reduced in time to face City.
In terms of pressure and tension, there is also a protest planned with supporters for next week's home game against United.
All of these topics are likely to be addressed in Rosenior's conference, as he prepares to face one of his coaching idols, Pep Guardiola, for the first time.
Gossip: Fernandez and his agent apologisepublished at 08:16 BST 10 April
08:16 BST 10 April
Enzo Fernandez and his agent have apologised to Chelsea for comments the 25-year-old midfielder made while on international duty in Argentina about a potential move to Real Madrid. (Sky Sports, external)
RB Leipzig and Castello Lukeba are in agreement that the France defender will leave the club this summer, with Chelsea along with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United all assessing the 23-year-old. (Teamtalk, external)
Meanwhile Aston Villa and England midfielder Morgan Rogers looks likely to be at the centre of a transfer tug of war this summer after Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United renewed their interest in the 23-year-old. (Times - subscription required, external)
Fear, anger or excitement - how are Chelsea fans feeling?published at 17:08 BST 9 April
17:08 BST 9 April
The Premier League's return this weekend brings trepidation for some and excitement for others.
Football's emotional rollercoaster becomes intense at this time of year, unless of course mid-table mediocrity has taken a grip of things in recent months.
So how are you feeling as an Chelsea fan with just a handful of weeks left to go?
The league form reads: DDLWLL
The next three league fixtures are: Man City (h), Man Utd (a) and Brighton (h)
How will Fernandez issue be resolved?published at 15:07 BST 8 April
15:07 BST 8 April
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Enzo Fernandez is understood to remain keen on a move to Real Madrid, despite avoiding explicit references to the club - who want to recruit a midfielder this summer.
Fernandez's agent, former PSG and Argentina midfielder Javier Pastore, described his punishment as "completely unfair" when speaking to the Athletic.
A wide‑ranging interview from Fernandez's camp also claimed he "deserves much more than he is currently earning", while further reports in Argentina have suggested attempts were made this week to have the suspension reduced.
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has also indicated a number of players are set to sign contract renewals before the end of the season. However, Fernandez's agent Pastore has suggested talks regarding his client will be paused until after the World Cup, where Argentina will bid to defend their title.
It appears Fernandez is unlikely to back down unless he secures a new contract on significantly improved terms or is sold.
However, facilitating an exit will be extremely difficult. Chelsea are well protected from a negotiating standpoint, with Fernandez under contract for a further six years until 2032. The club are also expected to hold out for at least the £107m they paid Benfica to sign him in 2023 - a British transfer record at the time.
The situation also highlights how Chelsea's incentive‑based contracts, which include bonuses linked to goals, assists and Champions League qualification, can deliver value for the club but also prove frustrating for high‑profile players tied into lengthy deals.
Demanding such a fee is likely to deter potential suitors. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have been linked but are considered unlikely to move under those conditions, while reports connecting Fernandez with PSG are understood to be wide of the mark.
Rosenior has continued to extract strong performances from Fernandez and has spoken positively about their working relationship.
Ultimately, it is expected that only financial resolution - in one form or another - will bring this situation to a close.
Image source, Getty Images
