Liam Rosenior began his Chelsea tenure with optimism, but the 2-1 loss to Fulham on Wednesday highlighted the difficulties he inherits at Stamford Bridge.
Liam Rosenior began his Chelsea tenure with optimism, but the 2-1 loss to Fulham on Wednesday highlighted the difficulties he inherits at Stamford Bridge.
The 41-year-old called the role one of the proudest moments of his career, yet watched from the directors’ box as Chelsea slipped to eighth place and exited the Premier League’s top five for the first time since August.
Seated alongside co-owner Behdad Eghbali and senior sporting figures, Rosenior saw his new side struggle against West London opposition and extend a poor run of form.
Chelsea have taken only one victory from their past nine league outings and just two wins in 11 matches across all competitions, a downturn that has dragged them well behind their early-season promise.
The club’s minimum objective remains Champions League qualification, achievable with a top-five finish, but the gap to that target has widened sharply.
Tension between supporters and the club hierarchy was evident even before Rosenior officially started work.
The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust published a critical survey questioning the leadership’s long-term vision, with more than half of respondents doubting future success under the current ownership.
In his first club interview, Rosenior repeatedly emphasised winning, underlining his awareness that results are the clearest route to rebuilding trust.
He also referenced the intimidating reputation Chelsea once held during earlier eras, naming former stars as symbols of that identity, signalling an understanding of the club’s history.
Despite this, frustration among fans remains deep, with chants aimed at ownership figures heard during the Fulham match and a protest planned ahead of the upcoming Brentford fixture.
Rosenior, closely aligned with the owners’ vision due to his age, style, and previous role at Strasbourg, knows patience may be limited if performances do not improve quickly.
Chelsea’s heavy spending since 2022 has not translated into consistent outcomes, despite substantial income from player departures.
The youthful profile of the squad has drawn scrutiny, with an average starting age below 24, a level no Premier League title winner has previously matched.
Under former head coach Enzo Maresca, Chelsea surrendered a league-high 15 points from winning positions, a pattern of dropped leads that proved costly.
Rosenior faced similar issues at Strasbourg, where a young squad let advantages slip repeatedly and managed only two wins from their final 10 Ligue 1 matches.
Chelsea’s long-term ambition is to compete regularly in Europe and challenge for major honours, but immediate momentum is required to meet even baseline expectations.
Discipline remains another pressing concern after Marc Cucurella’s dismissal at Craven Cottage for hauling down Harry Wilson.
Wilson later struck the decisive goal, compounding the impact of Chelsea being reduced to 10 men.
Caretaker boss Calum McFarlane defended the defender’s action but expressed unease at the immediate aftermath, when three Chelsea players were booked for dissent.
McFarlane himself was also cautioned after disputing the referee’s decision, highlighting a broader issue with on-field reactions.
Since the start of last season, Chelsea has accumulated more yellow and red cards than any other Premier League side, with one further sending-off this campaign set to equal a long-standing club record.
Rosenior has already begun integrating, attending meetings, and travelling with the squad ahead of the Fulham encounter.
His first full training session is scheduled for Thursday, followed by a formal media introduction on Friday.
Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Charlton Athletic will mark his first matchday decision as head coach.
A demanding week then follows, including a Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal and a league meeting with Brentford, offering an early test of his influence.
