The feel-good factor at Chelsea under Liam Rosenior has evaporated. The honeymoon period is over, and Micah Richards has identified what is hampering his start at Stamford Bridge.
Rosenior said Chelsea had set fire to four points in their last two Premier League games. After resurrecting Chelsea’s push for Champions League qualification, it now looks impossible after two successive draws.
Speaking earlier this week, Micah Richards said Chelsea’s problem is their inability to defend from crosses. On Saturday, Burnley striker Zian Flemming waltzed into the box unmarked to head home an equaliser.
Who starts in place of Wesley Fofana against Arsenal?🤔
Wesley Fofana's replacement after Chelsea red card
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“[In the second half] Burnley put some crosses in and Chelsea’s defending from crosses, not just set-pieces, crosses in general, has been really, really poor. Then Fofana gets sent off,” Richards said.
It’s not the first time that Chelsea’s defence have failed to make the grade in the Premier League in the last few months. It has seen Gary Lineker predict Chelsea will finish in sixth place at the end of the season.
Chelsea are third-worst with Tottenham in the Premier League
This season, Chelsea have conceded nine Premier League goals from crosses. Only the Premier League’s bottom two sides, Burnley and Wolves, have conceded more goals from crosses during 2025-26.
Chelsea v Leeds United - Premier League
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Indeed, Chelsea’s record is level with Tottenham, and Spurs currently sit in the bottom five positions. It says it all. Chelsea’s defenders are letting down Rosenior and the rest of the Blues squad currently.
Little surprise that Chelsea are desperate to bring in a central defender who can revitalise this side, and take the other defenders by the scruff of the neck. Ever since Thiago Silva left, Chelsea have struggled.
What can Rosenior do to get Chelsea to defend better?
The first way to improve Chelsea’s defending from corners, set-pieces, and crosses is to stop it from source. Prevent conceding free-kicks in and around the box, and get the full-backs to stop the cross.
Chelsea need to make room before they can sign another centre-back. Who are you getting rid of?
Levi Colwill is definitely untouchable ❌
Chelsea’s list of first-team centre-backs
Levi Colwill
Wesley Fofana
Trevoh Chalobah
Benoit Badiashile
Tosin Adarabioyo
Josh Acheampong
Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's goal with teammate Wesley Fofana
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
But crosses will inevitably go into the box. A lack of leadership and, indeed, a lack of tenacity in the penalty area is clear. None of Chelsea’s fit defenders are particularly renowned for their aerial ability.
The answer lies in Tosin Adarabioyo. The Chelsea defender ranks in the top 20 for percentage of aerials won this season, boasting 69.2%. When Tosin is fit, Rosenior must integrate him into the starting XI.
But until Tosin recovers from his hamstring injury, Chelsea fans will have to remain patient with the club’s defending from crosses. No surprise Chelsea are open to selling Trevoh Chalobah and Benoit Badiahshile.
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