Five Premier League defeats in a row. Zero goals scored in that run, 11 conceded. Seven defeats in their last eight across all competitions. No clean sheets in their last 12 league games, since January 17. Are the Chelsea board sure? Liam Rosenior has a lot of injuries to deal with, admittedly. He was without Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer in the 3-0 defeat to Brighton. But does it excuse zero shots on target? Does it excuse this relegation-worthy form? Nope.
The away end was emptying with nearly 15 minutes to go, when it was still only 2-0 to the Seagulls. That says it all about how the Chelsea fanbase are feeling. But asked if he feels the support of the board, the manager said pre-match: “100 per cent. They’ve been supportive of me in our daily conversations. We are aligned, knowing we need to win games of football now.” From 23 matches in charge, the 41-year-old has now won 11 and lost 10. He has the second-worst Premier League record of every Chelsea manager this century, below only Graham Potter. He needs to win – and fast.
In the first half at Brighton, their xG was just 0.04. It was lower than his predecessor Enzo Maresca managed in any of his 114 halves of Premier League football while in charge. Again, are the Chelsea board sure? Because it is now 476 minutes since they last found the net. That is unforgivable for the money they have spent in recent years.
Perhaps the hierarchy are telling Rosenior one thing and having an entirely different conversation in private. The 41-year-old has been handicapped, both by injuries and Chelsea’s transfer policy, which has sparked recent protests outside Stamford Bridge. But Rosenior took the job in January, on a ludicrous five-and-a-half-year contract, with the task of securing Champions League qualification. It doesn’t look like he’ll achieve that objective.
Chelsea were also in the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Champions League when he took over. They remain in the FA Cup but a semi-final defeat to Leeds United at Wembley on Sunday would surely spell the end of his tenure.
Defeat at Brighton means the Londoners remain eight points behind fifth-placed Liverpool with four games to go. They have played an extra match more than the Reds, and still have to go to Anfield next month, where they have not won in front of fans since 2014.
Champions League qualification requires a minor miracle. Chelsea could miss out even if they win all of their final four matches. Four wins from four feels very unlikely. It is likelier that they lose all four, in fact, especially given their current dry spell in front of goal.
Even when Chelsea disastrously finished 10th as reigning champions in 2015-16, they still won as many matches as they lost (12). Right now they have 13 wins and 12 defeats. For the first time since 1995-96, when they came 11th, it is possible they end the season having lost more games than they won.
And the Blues are now looking nervously over their shoulder. Bournemouth will leapfrog Chelsea with even a draw against Leeds tomorrow. Brentford are only behind on goal difference. Everton are one point behind. Sunderland – in 11th – can also overtake Rosenior’s team at the weekend.
Alarm bells must be ringing at Chelsea. And very soon, the board might leave Rosenior looking a bit silly. Because it won’t be too much longer that he retains their 100 per cent support, that’s for sure.
