Fabrizio Romano has just shared a significant update on Chelsea's plans for the January transfer window as BlueCo look to back Liam Rosenior.
Liam Rosenior suffers first Chelsea defeat at hands of Arsenal
Arsenal survived a spirited Chelsea fightback to claim a crucial 3-2 victory in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening.
Goals from Ben White, Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi secured the advantage for the Gunners, though Alejandro Garnacho's impressive brace ensured the tie remains wide open heading to the Emirates Stadium.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior reacts
The visitors made the perfect start when White headed home from a Declan Rice corner delivery after just seven minutes, capitalising on Robert Sanchez's failure to command his area. The goal marked Arsenal's 24th from set pieces this season and continued their dominance in dead-ball situations.
Chelsea, missing key players including Cole Palmer, Reece James and Moises Caicedo, struggled to contain Mikel Arteta's side in the opening period.
The hosts' misery deepened four minutes into the second half when Gyokeres bundled home from close range after Sanchez failed to gather White's cross, ending the striker's difficult goal drought dating back to early November.
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Rosenior, overseeing his first home match as Chelsea boss, responded with attacking substitutions that immediately paid dividends. Garnacho, introduced in the 53rd minute, fired home from Pedro Neto's delivery to reduce the deficit before the hour mark, breathing life into the depleted Blues.
Arsenal appeared to have restored control when Zubimendi slammed home after combining well with Gyokeres, making it 3-1.
However, Garnacho refused to let Chelsea's hopes fade, striking his second of the evening seven minutes from time after poor Arsenal defending from a corner, setting up a tense finale.
Despite late pressure, Arsenal held firm to take a slender one-goal advantage into the second leg.
It was Rosenior's first taste of defeat since taking over from Enzo Maresca, but off the field, the tactician could be backed by Chelsea's owners this month.
Rosenior-Boehly-Chelsea
Ever since Rosenior's appointment, the west Londoners have been linked with a host of high-profile names, but Romano has shared what they're definitely planning to do before deadline day.
Fabrizio Romano shares Chelsea transfer update after 'internal talks'
Taking to X, the respected reporter claims that Chelsea are looking to sign another centre-back this month following 'internal talks' among the hierarchy.
Maresca was actually desperate to sign a new central defender last summer after Levi Colwill's ACL injury in pre-season, dropping very public suggestions that he wanted a proven name through the door.
Now, it appears they're looking to support Rosenior with a new name in that area instead.
According to some media sources, Chelsea's manager is personally keen on Bayern Munich's Kim Min-jae, so a move for the South Korea international may be one to watch.
Their readiness to sign a centre-back is also backed up by The Telegraph's Matt Law, with the prospect of a new defender now very much alive.
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[Chelsea in "regular" talks with agents over signing £87m PSG star for Rosenior](https://www.footballfancast.com/chelsea-talks-agents-psg-bradley-barcola-liam-rosenior/ "Chelsea in "regular" talks with agents over signing £87m PSG star for Rosenior")
The west Londoners have held discussions with intermediaries.