Liam Rosenior's appointment as Chelsea manager means another rebuild could take place, and judging by two performances against Fulham, two players may soon be playing for their futures. The Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage after going down to ten men following Marc Cucurella's first-half sending off.
A new era is once again dawning at Stamford Bridge with Rosenior replacing Enzo Maresca, who guided the West Londoners to FIFA Club World Cup glory in the summer. The Italian coach saw players come and go during his 19 months in charge, and many question the recruitment which took place.
Two signings made under Maresca started in the defeat to Fulham, and one of those has been deemed not good enough ahead of Rosenior taking over. The English tactician is tasked with delivering Champions League football, but the squad he has inherited is under immense scrutiny.
Fulham 2-1 Chelsea: Two Blues Bruised
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Chelsea fans have had a lot to say about Pedro Neto this season with many critical of his consistency and end product. The Portuguese winger arrived from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a £54 million deal just two months after Maresca's arrival.
Neto has failed to impress in recent months, and that was again the case at Craven Cottage, putting in a disappointing display. Whenever the Blues broke forward, he seemed to make the wrong decision, such as fluffing his lines in the 46th minute, with a strike that flew wide of Bernd Leno's goal.
Caretaker manager Calum McFarlane opted to start Neto instead of Estevao, and if Rosenior wants to get the Blues fanbase onside immediately, he should start the Brazilian wonderkid. While Neto's corner did play a role in Liam Delap's equaliser, it was the only positive to take from his display.
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The visitors went a man down when Cucurella pulled down Harry Wilson as Fulham counter-attacked. The Spanish left-back had his head in his hands but wasn't helped out by Trevoh Chalobah, who was so lackadaisical getting back to help out.
Chalobah's positioning once Wilson was able to make a run onto a long ball was poor and it looked like he was jogging to get back in defence. The English centre-back is enduring a topsy-turvy season after impressing at the Club World Cup.
The 26-year-old is one of the most experienced members of Rosenior's squad but he looks indecisive at times and mistakes have been a recurring theme. Maresca wanted a new defender in the summer, and he was justified in pushing for one given the poor partnership between Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo.
'Disgusted' - Chelsea Fans Advise Rosenior To Axe Duo
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Rosenior was in the stands at Craven Cottage and watched his new club fall to their sixth league defeat of the season. Plenty for the former Strasbourg boss to ponder, including who is good enough to be part of his team.
If he were to ask Chelsea fans about Neto, it seems the consensus is that he doesn't deserve to be a starter. One fan gave a grim verdict of the Portugal international:
"This should be Neto’s last game in a Chelsea shirt if we’re serious. Get Garnacho on at halftime please."
Another fan advised Rosenior to offload the winger:
"Is there any club that’ll save us from Neto at all."
One touched on Neto's decision-making:
"I’m actually so done with Neto. Constantly making the wrong decision, constantly either picking the wrong pass or not passing when he should do."
Another added:
"Pedro Neto’s one of the most 1 footed players I’ve ever seen - barely a single action on his right foot, not even a dribble."
Chalobah was also in the firing line as his lack of effort was questioned by one fan:
"Cucurella is at fault of course but I can’t help look at Chalobah in that moment and feel disgusted."
Another supporter echoed this:
"Why did Chalobah stop running for the red?"
One called the Englishman:
"Chalobah worst cb I’ve ever seen in my life."
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The Blues' higher-ups' reluctance to sign a new centre-back in the summer has come back to haunt them. It will be interesting to see whether Rosenior feels it's an area that needs strengthening once he gets to grips with the squad.
But he is unlikely to have much say in the matter, given that the owners have a strategy of their own that is driven by their sporting directors. While some might feel a new signing is required to compete with Chalobah, Neto should be looking over his shoulder at Estevao, who is the real deal.