Chelsea

Chelsea caretaker boss Calum McFarlane spoke BBC Sport after his side's defeat by Fulham: "Tough game. The red card is a big factor and changes our game plan. We did that well other than the first goal. We reacted really well. In the second half we had so many opportunities and moments. I'm really glad for Liam Delap to get that goal it's been coming. Harry Wilson shows a bit of quality in the box and it decides the game."

On the red card: "We'll have to look at what happened for Harry Wilson to get in that position. Marc Cucurella is a brilliant defender, one of the best in the world."

On if he thought Chelsea deserved something from the game: "I do, yeah. Fulham had a lot of control and passages of play but we worked hard. We had opportunities to counter. Liam had a big chance. Until the last eight minutes I was confident we could draw or even nick a win."

On his time in the role: "It's been amazing. I've been coaching since I was 17, a long time. The last week has been the best experience I've ever had. That's down to the players, the way they've treated us. I'm really fortunate to have been put in that position.

"I spoke to Liam Rosenior the night before the announcement was made, yesterday at the training ground and today. I'm really excited about what he's going to bring to the team."

Did you know?

• Chelsea have received five red cards in the Premier League this season - only in 2007-08 have they ever been given more (six) in a single campaign in the competition. Meanwhile, their seven red cards in all competition this term (excluding the Club World Cup) is at least four more than any other Premier League side (Everton and Tottenham, both on three).

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter at Craven Cottage

Image source, Getty Images

Appointed head coach on Tuesday, Liam Rosenior had no time to take a training session or lead the team into this match against Fulham, so he had to be content to watch from the directors' box.

However, what he will have seen and indeed heard will surely worry him.

There were anti-ownership chants aimed towards those he was sitting next to, along with criticism of the sporting directors.

It had been all smiles before the match as Rosenior spoke to his new squad after training on Tuesday before then travelling with them to Craven Cottage. He then did a television interview before the match before taking his seat.

Marc Cucurella's red card would have given him the realisation that Chelsea need guidance to avoid falling short of their goals this season.

Ill-discipline has been an obvious problem, and in the immediate aftermath of the red card there were yellows for dissent for Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and Tosin Adarabioyo.

Five of Chelsea's red cards for players this season have come in the league, meaning they are one short of the most they have had in a single Premier League campaign - six in 2007-08 - and there are still 17 matches still to play.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Fulham's performance

What did you make of Chelsea's display?

Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies

Fulham make one change from their 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Sunday by bringing in Sander Berge for Sasa Lukic.

Ryan Sessegnon is fit again after a minor hamstring injury and returns to the bench.

Manager Marco Silva continues in his new back five system which has improved the club's fortunes.

Fulham XI: Leno, Diop, Anderson, Cuenca, Castagne, Berge, Cariney, Robinson; Wilson, Smith Rowe; Raul

Subs: Lemcomte, Sessegnon, Amissah, Reed, Lukic, Ridgeon, Adama, Kevin, Kusi-Asare

Chelsea make six changes and welcome back Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo from injury and suspension.

The other three changes see Tosin Adarabioyo rotated in against his former club, along with Liam Delap and Andrey Santos coming in.

Previously ill defender Wesley Fofana is back but only makes the bench.

Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella; Caicedo, Andrey Santos; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Delap

Subs: Jorgensen, Acheampong, James, Fofana, Hato, Estevao, Garnacho, Gittens, Joao Pedro

There are eight games in the Premier League on Wednesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Bournemouth v Tottenham

• Brentford v Sunderland

• Crystal Palace v Aston Villa

• Everton v Wolves

• Fulham v Chelsea

• Manchester City v Brighton

• Burnley v Manchester United (20:15)

• Newcastle v Leeds (20:15)

Kick-off times 19:30 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Liam Rosenior used the word "win" nine times during his seven-minute first video interview on Chelsea's channels. It was used 14 times in the written version of the chat.

The 41-year-old appeared to understand the brief of being a Blues manager - at least in the eyes of supporters - as he replaced Enzo Maresca, who departed in shock circumstances on New Year's Day.

"As I told the players this afternoon, getting to this club is one thing, but I need to win with these players and staff," he said. "There is a culture of winning and those are the values and traditions I want to uphold.

"I know I need to win in the short term but also build for the long term."

That message will resonate with fans who recently expressed dismay at the current model in a survey conducted with the Chelsea Supporters' Trust. Rosenior signed off by saying: "Believe in what is an amazing football club, believe in the players, and when you give energy to the team — you help them win.

"That's why we are here. I can't wait to meet them and do that soon."

Born in Wandsworth, Rosenior showed a strong knowledge of Chelsea's history and recalled facing club legends Michael Essien, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Joe Cole during the successful Roman Abramovich era.

In terms of specifics, Rosenior outlined his values, coaching ethos and personality. He championed Chelsea's youth and highlighted his ability to work with young players, having managed Strasbourg, the youngest team in Europe's big five leagues.

He also spoke about his coaching idols and detailed how he has previously worked with Liam Delap (at Hull), Robert Sanchez (in Brighton's academy) and Andrey Santos (at Strasbourg).

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Will Faulks
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

The list of items in a new manager's metaphorical in-tray have long become cliches; get the fans onside, turn Stadium X into a fortress, get the best out of star player Y.

But there is a good reason for that. Those are the things that tend to go wrong to precipitate the change in management. In Liam Rosenior's case, he is going to have to play all the hits.

Chelsea are 13th in the home form table. They do not even need Stamford Bridge to be a 'fortress', just getting it to above league average would be a positive start.

Improving that home form will come naturally as a product of fixing issue two: Chelsea's struggles in possession. Under Enzo Maresca, they were good against big teams and playing away from home because there was more space to exploit.

However, the Italian coach never figured out how to consistently break down sides who sat deep at Stamford Bridge and his Chelsea were often so dull in possession that it was painful to watch.

The solution to that problem comes from issue three: Cole Palmer. He has the magic in passing, shooting and dribbling that Chelsea need to take apart stubborn defences. Rosenior needs to work out how to get more out of him than Maresca did.

Solving that cascade of problems will then naturally flow into getting the fans behind him. If Chelsea are playing nice football and winning at home, the supporters will be delighted.

Rosenior seems like a warm and engaging character and he can accelerate the process of endearing himself by making an attempt to connect with fans in a way that the rather stony Maresca never did, and through other smaller things like using academy players.

It is easy to see how appointing an inexperienced coach with more soft skills than medals could go wrong, especially at Chelsea. But Maresca left easy wins on the table - both literally and metaphorically - that Rosenior can use to give himself a strong start.

Find more from Will Faulks at Chelsea News, external

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Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Fulham will go level on points with Chelsea if they beat their west London neighbours on Wednesday (19:30 GMT). BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before the match.

In-form Wilson shining for Cottagers

Fulham's 2-2 draw against Liverpool extended their unbeaten run to five games, though the Whites were once again grateful for a late goal. They beat West Ham on 27 December thanks to an 85th-minute Raul Jimenez strike and earned a point against Crystal Palace five days later courtesy of Tom Cairney's effort 10 minutes from time.

Harrison Reed's equaliser at the weekend came even later, arriving in spectacular fashion in the seventh minute of injury time – just 143 seconds after Cody Gakpo had struck what seemed sure to be the winner for the Merseysiders.

Head coach Marco Silva admitted to mixed emotions after the final whistle, praising Reed's long-range strike as an "incredible moment" but insisting his side could have won a game they deservedly led at half-time following another goal from the in-form Harry Wilson.

The 28-year-old has been pivotal to his side's improved performances since the start of November – the Whites have taken 20 points from 11 games in that period, which is bettered only by the Premier League's top three sides. Wilson has been directly involved in nine top-flight goals during that time, scoring five and assisting four, a haul second only to Erling Haaland.

Until this season, the Welshman had often produced his most impactful moments as a substitute, and he came off the bench to score in last term's 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge. This season, however, he is one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Craven Cottage a happy hunting ground for Blues

Like Fulham, Chelsea salvaged a point on Sunday thanks to an injury-time equaliser. Enzo Fernandez struck from close range against Manchester City in the fourth minute of stoppage time, meaning the Club World Cup champions have now drawn three consecutive Premier League away games.

Caretaker Calum McFarlane led the Blues at the weekend following Enzo Maresca's departure and felt the result was deserved, praising the character his side showed in the second half. On Tuesday the club confirmed that Liam Rosenior - previously in charge of sister club Strasbourg - will be their new head coach, though McFarlane will be in the dugout one more time on Wednesday.

Rosenior may lack experience at a club of Chelsea's stature but his tactical approach may make him a good fit as a replacement for Maresca. Under his guidance, Strasbourg built patiently from the back and dominated possession – they have played fewer long passes than any other Ligue 1 side this season and rank third for total passes, behind only Paris St-Germain and Marseille.

That style carries risks, however. Strasbourg have committed a joint-high 17 errors leading to opposition shots in the French top flight this season.

McFarlane will be looking to maintain Chelsea's formidable record at Craven Cottage in his second and last game in temporary charge. The Blues have lost just two of their past 23 away games against Fulham, winning 15 of those fixtures – including six of the past seven.

I benched Fulham's Harry Wilson in my Fantasy team before their draw against Liverpool and that was a mistake.

Wilson is in great form but he is only one part of an extremely well-balanced team and Fulham will have a real go at Chelsea in the west London derby.

But Chelsea beat Fulham earlier in the season and I was impressed by Liam Delap when he came on for the Blues in Sunday's draw at Manchester City.

So, as much as I rate Fulham at the moment, I am backing Chelsea here.

They have only won one of their past eight games in the Premier League, but I am going to say they will nick this.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Legendary EFL striker Billy Sharp says Liam Rosenior "won't be bothered" by the reaction to his appointment as Chelsea manager because "his confidence and self-belief is amazing".

While many fans seem a touch uninspired by the identity of the new boss, Sharp, who played under Rosenior at Hull City, reckons he is highly capable of winning respect quickly at Cobham.

"When he wanted to sign me, I was coming back from the MLS and he was really patient with me," said Sharp on BBC Radio 5 Live's Euro Leagues podcast. "I met him a couple of times face to face and he went through things with me that no managers have ever done when I've signed for a football club.

"He wanted to make sure the fit was right. I got to know him more while playing for Hull and he was brilliant for me. He has got an aura about him and he brought a real togetherness at Hull. I loved being a part of it.

"I've seen on social media and the papers about the lukewarm reception he will have at Chelsea but he won't be bothered by that.

"I bet he just can't wait to get going. His confidence and self-belief is amazing."

Rosenior led Ligue 1 side Strasbourg into the Conference League for the first time this season, where they top the league phase after six games.

Sharp recognises the step-up in quality for the new manager's squad but is confident he will relish the opportunity.

"The players he's going to work with are a dream for him," he said. "The higher you go, the more egos there are. There will be bigger characters for him to handle but I am pretty certain he will be fine with that.

"Chelsea have young, hungry players and he is a young, hungry manager who wants to learn and make players better.

"He has an incredible squad to work with but he has got to find a formula that suits his suits of play. Players like the way he wants to play.

"I spoke to him a lot about being a coach and manager and he said he knew he wanted to do it early on in his playing career and you can tell he has that passion from the way he handles himself with the press and on the side of the pitch.

"He is an emotional person but when he does lose his head, he can also calm himself really quickly. He's thorough and leaves no stone un-turned.

"I'm delighted for him."

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Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

There is pressure on Chelsea to get this appointment right, with some supporters chanting the name of former owner Roman Abramovich during Sunday's draw at Manchester City and a fringe group of fans planning a protest against the owners before the next home Premier League match against Brentford.

It is against that backdrop they have turned to a man who is well known to key figures at Stamford Bridge.

Liam Rosenior first met Chelsea's co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart more than 15 years ago while playing for Brighton.

And Sam Jewell - Chelsea's director of global recruitment - worked closely with Rosenior when he began coaching Brighton's under-23 side after retiring.

Rosenior also knew Stewart during his time as an analyst at Hull, where he played and later managed.

Last summer, during the Club World Cup, he travelled to the United States with Strasbourg president Marc Keller to meet Chelsea's leadership, and owners Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly have made regular visits to the French club.

He has always been seen as a potential successor to Enzo Maresca, but a mid-season change was not planned. Chelsea hoped Rosenior could continue to build experience at Strasbourg, but Maresca's comments at the end of last year forced the owners into a change.

They see their new man, who favours a similar possession-based style, as the most seamless option.

Sources close to Rosenior also believe he has a more empathetic tone of communication - drawing on lessons from his mother Karen, who is a social worker.

He will face scrutiny over his perceived rawness, but Chelsea will point to the fact he has more experience than Maresca when the Italian was appointed in 2024.

Maresca had won the Championship, of course, while Rosenior is yet to lift a trophy - but the incoming coach has managed 153 senior games at Hull and Strasbourg compared with his predecessor's 67. Maresca was also Pep Guardiola's assistant during Manchester City's Treble-winning season of 2022-23.

There is also the issue of Rosenior coming to Chelsea on a bad run of form, having won none of his past five Ligue 1 matches, just two in 10, and having dropped 13 points from winning positions this season.

French football expert Julien Laurens told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I really believe the owners put him in the Strasbourg job to get him ready for the Chelsea job one day.

"I think if he showed he could be capable at Strasbourg, which is taking a team which was almost going down into Europe - to taking it close to Champions League qualification, which is what he did last season - I think that showed his potential. It showed his development, showed his ability to improve the team and players individually."

Read more from Nizaar about Rosenior's appointment

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, PA Media

A new Chelsea Supporters' Trust members survey has revealed a lack of confidence in decision-making and the sporting direction of the club.

The latest results from CST, the club's biggest and most influential fan group, come in a week during which Enzo Maresca departed after a fallout with the club's hierarchy, which includes five sporting directors and its American ownership, led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.

Liam Rosenior has since replaced Maresca but is not in place in time to lead the team into Wednesday's match at Fulham.

Multiple questions were put to supporters. Among the findings:

• More than 50% of Chelsea supporters said they are very unconfident of success in the next three-to-five years with the way Chelsea are being run.

• A similar number lack confidence in the ownership's decision-making.

• More than 40% said the current sporting structure is not fit for purpose.

• More than 65% disagree with the statement that 'Chelsea FC currently demonstrates a clear and effective plan for its football leadership, including head coach appointments and succession'.

Accompanying the results was a statement given to members, which read: "While the strength of feeling reflected in the results may be uncomfortable, the themes identified are not new. They have been evident over a sustained period and have persisted even during times of on-pitch success, indicating that these concerns relate to confidence, clarity and trust rather than short-term results or isolated events.

"The CST believes the findings highlight a material and ongoing confidence gap between the club and its supporters. Addressing this gap will require clearer explanation, greater transparency and more meaningful engagement."

It added: "The CST will always support a new head coach and wishes Liam Rosenior every success."

Chelsea are fifth in the Premier League, begin their FA Cup campaign on Saturday, then play in a Carabao Cup semi-final and later this month continue their Champions League league phase schedule.

Nina Hristova
Fan contributor

Image source, Getty Images

The announcement that Liam Rosenior will be Chelsea's next head coach has not exactly sparked celebrations among the fanbase.

In fact, the general consensus is that the appointment feels somewhat uninspiring, with many questioning whether Rosenior will even be afforded the time required to succeed or face the fate of his predecessors.

Since the change in ownership, those who succeeded Thomas Tuchel in the dugout shared similar profiles in terms of experience, but none arrived with major honours on their CV. Instead, they were selected based on "potential", mirroring Chelsea's wider recruitment strategy of investing in unproven young players rather than established names.

Some supporters feel further disheartened when reflecting on the calibre of appointments Chelsea once made - Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte to name three of the past - compared with those in recent years.

Any coach stepping into Chelsea's current environment is bound to face challenges, but for Rosenior, the leap appears especially significant given his relatively slim managerial credentials at the highest level.

When reports of his appointment emerged, many supporters had to delve into the Englishman's background and coaching philosophy, which in itself raised questions about his suitability for a role of this magnitude.

But Rosenior's meticulous approaches and impressive work at Strasbourg spark some optimism for the future, and there is a willingness among fans to get behind him and root for his successes.

But Chelsea is a club accustomed to winning silverware. Even Enzo Maresca, who delivered two trophies, fell out of favour with many fans, underlining just how high expectations will be when the new coach takes charge. He will likely require a lot of time to implement meaningful change, but requesting patience at Stamford Bridge is a big ask...

Find more from Nina Hristova at Nina's Chelsea Corner, external

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Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin says Liam Rosenior will know the pressure he is under to succeed at Stamford Bridge - but he understands why it is still an attractive job for Rosenior to take.

Nevin spoke to BBC Breakfast shortly after Rosenior said he had "verbally agreed" to be the next Chelsea boss - a deal that was confirmed later on Tuesday.

He said: "Everybody knew, it's not a very well-kept secret. He's had limited experience and certainly no experience at the level Chelsea is playing at.

"But will he be malleable enough for the group that's controlling the club? It's not just Chelsea, it's Manchester United, it's Celtic. The stuff that's going on now with managers, there's a kind of thread running through it.

"It's about: Are you a coach? Are you a manager? How much control do you get?

"Rosenior is going to be coming in with limited experience knowing that if it doesn't go well, he's for the chop. But I agree with him, why not do it?

"The organisations that run and own big football clubs want a level of control. They're paying the money and they understand the business. But as soon as a manager does well and pops his head above the parapet, we're seeing what happens.

"Maybe, with Rosenior coming from inside the Chelsea family, from Strasbourg, he gets that game. Maybe he understands the deal and he may well survive as long as he is successful.

"Rosenior will be welcomed by the Chelsea fans."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca says he has "inner peace" having left the "prestigious club" where it "deserves to be".

The 45-year-old parted ways with Chelsea on New Year's Day after an apparent breakdown in relationship with the club's hierarchy in recent weeks.

The west London side had been in a difficult run of form having won just one of their past seven league matches at the time, but were still well placed in the league, sitting fifth and just three points off the top four.

Posting on Instagram, external, Maresca, who won both the Conference League and Club World Cup during his 18 months in charge, said: "'Leave this world a little better than you found it.' My journey with Chelsea began with the preliminary rounds of the Conference League.

"I leave with the inner peace of leaving a prestigious club like Chelsea where it deserves to be.

"I want to thank all the Chelsea fans for their support over the past 18 months.

"Support that was crucial to achieving Champions League qualification, winning the Conference League and winning the Club World Cup.

"Victories that I will always hold in my heart!

"A special thank you to all the players who have accompanied me on this wonderful journey.

"I wish everyone who has shared every moment with me every success in this second half of the season and in the future.

"Thank you, Chelsea, from me and my family."

It was confirmed on Tuesday that Liam Rosenior, who had been in charge at sister club Strasbourg, would be the Italian's successor at Stamford Bridge.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Chelsea's interim manager Calum McFarlane has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Fulham at Craven Cottage (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• The players will report into Cobham for training on Tuesday so it is too early to give definitive team news, but he is hopeful Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez and Wesley Fofna will be available.

• He "briefly" spoke to newly appointed boss Liam Rosenior on Monday night and "will catch up with him" when he arrives at Cobham later on.

• McFarlane said he expects "a smooth transition" under Rosenior and is "really excited to see the work he is going to do" because his teams usually play "aggressive" football.

• On leading Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Manchester City: "It was a great experience and challenge. I loved every minute of it. It was enjoyable. Anyone associated with the club should be proud of the team on Sunday. Moving forward, this team has a lot of potential."

• He is confident there will be a "really good connection" going forward with the first team and McFarlane's under-21s, and added that giving academy players an opportunity to progress into the senior team "is in the DNA" of the club.

• On Rosenior's appointment being positive for the future of English coaching: "All young English coaches from an academy background will be rooting for Liam. It is really inspirational to see someone get a job of this profile who has come through that way."

Follow all of Tuesday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

We asked for your views on Chelsea appointing Liam Rosenior as the club's new head coach.

Here are some of your comments:

Colin: It is good to give a young manager a chance but I'm not so sure about a six-year contract. No manager lasts six years at Chelsea but I wish him well and hope he can carry on winning trophies for our club.

Sam: Chelsea are often criticised for not having patience with managers. But the high turnover of managers has won Chelsea everything going. Most fans would choose success over blind loyalty.

Martin: Rosenior wouldn't have been my first choice, but then nor was Maresca and he won two trophies. Shame it ended like it did as we were starting to get a bit of stability. However, now Liam is our manager I will back him and hope he can push us towards more silverware in the next few years. Good luck, I think you'll need it in the Blue circus.

Ian: I feel this is too soon in his career. Like Lampard was too soon in his. This may just be a filler until the summer. Pep Guardiola might be available then.

Paul: What an awful decision, it's clear the owners haven't got a clue. Time for change at Chelsea.

Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton says Liam Rosenior is viewed as "a really young coach" and a "real rookie", even though he is 41 years old.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club before Rosenior was confirmed as Chelsea's new boss, Sutton said: "Fabian Hurzeler at Brighton is 32 and yet we all view that as normal, but then if [Rosenior] gets this job at Chelsea, we're viewing him as a real rookie."

Sutton said the biggest change Rosenior will encounter is switching to taking charge of players who have "won World Cups, are worth millions and players who have big egos and back themselves".

"I just hope it's a move which doesn't swallow him up or have a negative effect on his coaching career. I'm not saying it will because he's a super smart guy," he added.

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