Chelsea suffered their first defeat in the Premier League under Liam Rosenior at Arsenal on Sunday afternoon and now, Gary Neville has picked the club who will finish in sixth place.
Despite a good performance going forward in which Chelsea looked threatening from open play and set pieces, the Blues looked vulnerable in defence. Two goals conceded from set-pieces, one scored.
Liam Rosenior was frustrated with Robert Sanchez throughout, before the Chelsea manager slammed his players for not applying what they had worked on all week. Rosenior says Chelsea worked on set-pieces.
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William Saliba and Piero Hincapie’s goals cancelled out the own goal scored from a Reece James corner. Ultimately, it is three league games without a win and just two points secured from a possible nine.
Gary Neville makes surprise pick when predicting his top six
Chelsea currently sit in sixth place and as things stand, England will be awarded five Champions League places. The coefficient is shining bright on the Premier League and fifth will provide qualification.
With Liverpool and Man United winning, Michael Carrick’s men have drawn level with Aston Villa who lost at Wolves. Liverpool are three behind them, and Chelsea a further three behind Arne Slot’s men in fifth.
Liam Rosenior head coach of Chelsea applauds among his players after the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea
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Speaking on his Sky Sports podcast, Neville predicted the top six and he thinks it will be Aston Villa that come sixth despite the six-point gap separating Chelsea and Unai Emery’s side with just 10 games to play.
“I think Man United will definitely finish third. I can’t believe I’m saying that from where they were six weeks ago. But, they’ve got no distractions, something good is going on, all the momentum.
“I think Liverpool finish fourth and I think Chelsea will finish fifth. I hope Villa finish in the top five, I really do. I just think it will be Man United, Liverpool and Chelsea. The doubt will be Chelsea or Villa for fifth.”
What do Chelsea need to sort out if they are to get fifth?
The issue Rosenior has is three-fold. The first, and unavoidable one, is that Chelsea are fighting on three fronts still like Liverpool and Aston Villa. Man United are not in Europe and that is helping Carrick’s side.
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The other two problems are in-house. The obvious one is set-pieces and defending from crossing, which has become a problem under Rosenior. The return of Tosin from injury could be Chelsea’s solution.
Pedro Neto will know full well that the third issue is discipline. Another stupid red card for a Chelsea player to earn, with Neto earning a yellow for dissent and jumping into a tackle while cautioned.
If Chelsea and Rosenior can sort out their defending from crossing and set-pieces, and go the remainder of the season without picking up another red card, then they have a chance. But the fixtures are tough.
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