The feeling at Cobham on Wednesday morning will have been low. Possibly, the lowest it has been since Liam Rosenior arrived – and Danny Murphy has identified two problems that need fixing.
An 8-2 aggregate defeat to PSG over two legs was humbling. It highlighted Chelsea’s problem on the pitch, but off of it as well. Joe Cole’s rant about Todd Boehly before the game was exacerbated.
Wesley Fofana, Reece James and Malo Gusto were ruled out before the match, joining Levi Colwill on the sidelines. The issues got worse as Trevoh Chalobah was stretchered off, lucky not to break his ankle.
Do you think Chelsea should sack Liam Rosenior? Or are you willing to give him more time?🤔
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It is not as if Chelsea are without defenders, but they are certainly without their first-choice players at the back going into the next few games. Danny Murphy has picked two problems that must be fixed.
Danny Murphy’s two Chelsea problems under Liam Rosenior
Joe Cole and Owen Hargreaves tried to defend Liam Rosenior after the game, aiming to explain that the issues at Chelsea are not his fault and that, actually, the problems are more deeply-rooted than the boss.
Yet, it is Rosenior’s head that will be on a stick. Some Chelsea board members do not believe the former Strasbourg gaffer will be in the dugout next season. What can he do to get it right during the run-in?
Thiago Silva reacts during Chelsea FC v AFC Bournemouth - Premier League
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Murphy told TalkSPORT on Wednesday that Rosenior has got to fix two problems, whether that be in the next few games or this summer: “In isolation, for 65 minutes in the first leg, Chelsea were really good.
“There wasn’t that much between the two teams [Chelsea and PSG]. The obvious lack of experience at centre-half and the problems they have with the goalkeepers are evident. This has been coming.
“They’re not great defensively. They have moments where they concede chance after chance,” Murphy continued on TalkSPORT. “It is something that has not been addressed for a while, since Thiago Silva left.”
What can Rosenior do now before the summer window?
What was clear on Tuesday night was that Chelsea were far too open. Against a Leeds or a Burnley, it sees Chelsea concede a goal or two. Against a PSG, it is eight over two legs and that is not sustainable.
Would you take Thiago Silva back at the club?
Do you agree with John Terry?
Rosenior must identify what is causing Chelsea to be too open. Is it a lack of work rate? Is it that the final third not giving the midfield and defence enough protection? The ability to stop a counterattack is poor.
Is it in-game management from the players? Ultimately, this Chelsea side lack real quality in defence. They need experience of players who can take this team by the scruff of the neck and be a coach on the pitch.
They need a goalkeeper that the defence can rely on, and a leader at centre-back. Murphy is right, Chelsea have not given themselves that chance, failing to replace Silva since he left the club in 2024.
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