The good form of Chelsea FC and the fairytale that arrived with Liam Rosenior are long gone. The team won many important matches at the start of Rosenior’s spell at Stamford Bridge, but as we already reported and said, they had a lot of luck in the Champions League match against SSC Napoli in the final round. Chelsea barely managed to beat West Ham United, who at 3–2 hit the woodwork and were very close to equalising.
In both matches, Chelsea defended deep, and West Ham and Napoli had big chances to score. Chelsea were lucky again in the first EFL Cup clash against Arsenal FC. At 3–1, Sánchez made an incredible acrobatic save, spreading himself and using his height and long reach. If Arsenal had scored that clear chance, it would have been 4–1 in the 70th minute, and we would not be talking about a quality Chelsea that followed. Sánchez saved the situation. Chelsea had a lot of luck.
What happened today against Burnley FC?
Rosenior was not at the needed level!
First, the approach to the match is a big problem. Chelsea plays too relaxed. Second, when they score one goal, it is clear they must continue building the game and push for the second goal that can decide the match. But after João Pedro’s goal in the first half, Chelsea were poor, and Burnley were much better.
Rosenior has not imposed a winning mentality. The team must be fully focused and play at maximum level, control the game and then profit from it. The Premier League is tougher competition then France League 1, and much more efforts needed to be made to win a single fixture. The key is harder to find, and the affords have to be on the top level.
The tough demands of Primer League.
That is the one that cost Maresca. Now the problem is for Rosenior. He should take it seriously.
You have to work in any aspect to control the game to imposes you style and to put great effort to achieve goals. Every Premier League team is so tough to beat since the best league in the world has become more competitive and demanding.
So your focus and control of the game must be there. Constantly, there must not be gaps and falls. To win the Premier League regularly, you have to be in the game.
Chelsea’s approach is casual and relaxed!
It is visible from the recent results.
Substituting Coal Palmer, who was best on the pitch when Fofana was sent off.
After failing to score the second goal and after Wesley Fofana rightly received a straight red card for a reckless challenge, complete insecurity followed. This is where Rosenior showed the least so far.
At 1–0 with eleven players, the attacking plan was built around Palmer playing between the lines and João Pedro constantly pressing and stretching the line. But once they went down to ten men, Rosenior made a huge mistake. Everything Palmer was doing between the lines — being lethal and dangerous — was removed. Palmer was the first to be substituted. Rosenior abandoned his own tactic and his best player.
“Palmer was dancing on the pitch, coastally abusing opponents’ defenders. Was a great treat to Burnley. He was replaced by Rosenior due to the tactics. Then Chelsea failed the game and lost control entirely. “
This moment proved to be crucial in the match, when Chelsea lost control over the game, pressure, and offensive possibilities.
Liam Delap replaced João Pedro, who had been pressing constantly, and instead of Palmer and Pedro, Tosin came on. Chelsea gave up the attack and removed their best player. It was clear Burnley would attack and have chances. Chelsea lost João Pedro, who pressed the lines and scored in the first half.
Liam Delap was not pressing enough like Joao Pedro did when he did not have the ball, and Palmer was no longer there. Chelsea did not have the ball at their feet in the attacking phase, and that is what gave Burnley the chance to return and shift the balance.
The essence of the fixture. Burnley- Chelsea 1:1. The dynamics
When Palmer went off, everything disappeared. There was no attacking dynamic. The opponents relaxed because the player stretching them was gone. Rosenior chose to defend constantly until the end. He was defending structurally and losing offensive strength. He had Delap and Acheampong instead of Reece James and Palmer, and they were not pressing opponents like before.
It was obvious that it would not work. But this was Rosenior’s idea, which is naive in the context of understanding the game.
He could not avoid conceding the goal. With all of this, Burnley had to score, considering the situation, developments, and happenings on the pitch. But it was all ensured by Liam Rosenior.
With this defensive approach, Chelsea conceded one goal. Burnley had three shots and two more clear chances to overturn completely as they deserved.
They could get the victory against Chelsea.
Chelsea need clear structure. Rosenior weakened the team further when he substituted Reece James. Acheampong does not have the required quality, and Tosin does not either. They are in the squad because the board has done a poor job.
To explain how big Rosenior’s mistake was when defending a 1–0 lead from the 70th minute: Palmer, Reece, and João Pedro had created excellent attacking dynamics together through constant pressing and creating offensive blocks and danger. They were sharp and well coordinated.
Burnley’s defensive line was always on the back foot and was not able to turn to offence, but Rosenior undid all of this.
He regretted the good aspects and lost the game.
Once Delap was up front, without Palmer and James, Chelsea lost rhythm. Burnley regrouped and pushed. The balance of the game switched.
The offensive combinations disappeared. The pressure and fear caused by Palmer stopped. There was no pressing energy, no running power. Rosenior’s naive idea was to defend until the end, and that approach is short-term.
Rotation of centre-backs?
Rosenior should consider rotating centre-backs and substituting defenders when they struggle physically after the 65th minute. A change like Sarr for Chalobah could bring freshness. Chelsea’s defence is catastrophic and needs refreshing and structural solutions at every level.
Another mistake was Acheampong replacing Reece James, and Tosin coming on. was very Unimaginative from Rosenior. Those two players do not have the quality Chelsea needs. The board has left defensive problems unresolved for three transfer windows.
If you are closing a match, you must bring on reliable and stable defenders. Tosin and Acheampong are not that. Their defensive level is not good enough and is not aligned with the team. Closing games requires the right profiles. It is impossible for Chelsea not to concede a goal while Josh Acheampong is on the pitch. He is such a poor defender that Maresca could not rely on, and now it is the same with Rosenior.
It is Impossible for Chelsea not to concede a goal while Josh Acheampong is on the ground!
Josh Acheampong is a disaster defender after playing against Leeds, and a defensive disaster after many months as a substitute. Today, against Burnley,
Rosenior used him as a potential defensive strength and for fresh impact from the bench. Again, his performance was a diesters one with elements of horror present for Chelsea fans. Chelsea has again conceded with him on the pitch, and lost points for the second straight fixture with him on the pitch.
Does Blue-Co know this?
The January transfer window is for improving, fixing and adjusting and fixing gaps in the team for next month. You can improve the bad positions. Chelsea had a chance to buy a central defender, but they did not do it. Chelsea could have a great defender for today’s game if the club had done the job, but now they have Acheampong.
Why does Rosenior now have to relay Josh Acheampong?
Who did this? Who is responsible?
He was never loaned out; he never fit with a structure. He did not adapt ever. Josh Acheampong’s nightmare
A match lasts ninety minutes. You must maintain a proper level throughout to win demanding Premier League games. Giving the ball away and not controlling the field cost Chelsea the win, and they were fortunate not to concede a second to organised Burnley.
Chelsea beat Wolves a few weeks ago with two penalties converted by Palmer. Against Leeds, another penalty was awarded, but the problems started because they did not create enough and were passive in terms of controlling the game. Teams will not beat themselves.
Acheampong was never loaned out? He never adapted to anything? Has he not adapted to any structure?
Another concern is the sudden poor form of Enzo Fernández, who struggled badly today. His drop in level is drastic, and Rosenior has failed to find the right position to maximise his qualities.
Palmer is Rosenior’s favourite player, but today he was taken off in a disastrous way, and Chelsea lost control of the match.
Willian Estevão was not in the Chelsea squad today.
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