Predictions
There will be no gentle bedding-in period for Liam Rosenior at Chelsea.
The new head coach officially takes charge of first-team duties on Thursday, inheriting a side short on confidence after a 2-1 west London derby defeat to Fulham — a result that extended the Blues’ five-match winless run in the Premier League.
Rosenior watched on from the stands as 10-man Chelsea came unstuck at Craven Cottage, where Marc Cucurella’s early red card, defensive fragility and a lack of composure proved costly despite Liam Delap’s first Premier League goal for the club.
With an FA Cup tie against Charlton Athletic looming on Saturday, there is no shortage of issues for Rosenior to tackle. Here are five immediate problems he must address.
1. Chelsea’s Alarming Discipline Problem
Chelsea’s lack of control is becoming a season-defining issue.
Cucurella’s 22nd-minute dismissal — for hauling down Harry Wilson — was the club’s eighth red card of the campaign (including Enzo Maresca’s touchline sending-off earlier in the season). Even more concerning was the behaviour surrounding the incident, with Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer and Tosin Adarabioyo all booked while protesting the decision.
Peter Bankes had no choice.
Going down to 10 men so early completely destroyed Calum McFarlane’s tactical plan, leaving Chelsea exposed for over an hour. Rosenior must urgently restore discipline, emotional control and accountability, because no team chasing Champions League football can survive self-inflicted wounds like this.
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2. Solving the Cole Palmer Position Conundrum
Few players define Chelsea’s attacking threat more than Cole Palmer, yet his role remains unclear.
Persistent fitness issues — a groin problem and a stubbed toe — have prevented Palmer from hitting the heights of his first two seasons, but his positioning has also played a role.
Palmer dazzled from the right flank in his debut campaign, then flourished as a No.10. Under McFarlane, he has drifted between roles. Against Fulham, he was stationed wide again — and suffered.
He received little service, often collecting the ball too far from goal to influence proceedings. His one major contribution — a brilliant run and shot saved by Bernd Leno — underlined what Chelsea are missing.
Rosenior must decide:
Central creator or wide threat?
Because when Chelsea build around Palmer’s strengths, they look like a different team altogether.
3. Getting More From Liam Delap
Delap’s equaliser was a rare bright moment — and a reminder of what Chelsea hope he can become.
The £30m summer signing has character, physical presence and a willingness to battle. But too often, his game devolves into wrestling centre-backs rather than doing the basics well.
His first touch, link-up play and composure remain inconsistent, and Chelsea need far more from their No.9 if they’re to turn possession into goals.
Encouragingly, Rosenior successfully developed Joaquin Panichelli — another powerful striker — at Strasbourg. If he can do the same with Delap, Chelsea may finally have something to build on.
4. Repairing the Fan Disconnect
Rosenior is stepping into a deeply uncomfortable atmosphere.
While some supporters remain unhappy with Enzo Maresca’s dismissal, frustration now extends well beyond the dugout. At Craven Cottage, travelling fans directed angry chants toward co-owner Behdad Eghbali, who was seated next to Rosenior in the Riverside Stand.
Those chants would not have gone unnoticed.
Rosenior understands the scale of the challenge. His decision not to take charge immediately — instead waiting for the FA Cup tie — was sensible. But charm alone won’t suffice.
Only performances, clarity and results will begin to rebuild trust.
5. A Leaky Backline That Breeds Vulnerability
Chelsea’s defensive numbers on paper remain respectable — only Arsenal and Manchester City have conceded fewer league goals.
Yet the eye test tells a different story.
The Blues have managed just two clean sheets in their last 11 matches, and even with 10 men, they looked disturbingly vulnerable against Fulham. Veteran striker Raúl Jiménez stretched the defence repeatedly, while Fulham sensed weakness and went for the kill.
Robert Sanchez made several saves but still doesn’t inspire confidence, while Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah endured another difficult evening.
Perhaps most worrying was Fulham’s belief — a sense that Chelsea were there for the taking. Rosenior must harden this team quickly, both structurally and mentally.
A Defining Moment for Rosenior
Liam Rosenior knows exactly what he has walked into.
This is a Chelsea side short on belief, discipline and cohesion — but not talent. The FA Cup tie at Charlton offers a safer entry point, yet the real tests are coming fast.
At one of the biggest clubs in world football, the margin for error is tiny.
Now, the rebuild begins.
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