Everything feels a bit chaotic at Stamford Bridge right now. Honestly, if you haven't been keeping up with the chelsea fc fc news over the last few weeks, you've missed a lifetime's worth of drama packed into a single January.
Enzo Maresca is gone. Just like that. After winning the Conference League and that massive Club World Cup title against PSG, he's out. It’s wild how fast things move in West London. One minute you’re the tactical genius lifting trophies in Florida, and the next, you're arguing with the medical staff about Cole Palmer’s hamstrings and getting shown the door.
Enter Liam Rosenior.
The Shock Switch to Rosenior
The appointment of Liam Rosenior felt like it came out of left field for a lot of fans. He was doing a solid job at Strasbourg—Chelsea’s sister club—but jumping from Ligue 1 to the pressure cooker of a Premier League top-four race is a different beast entirely.
He’s the second-youngest manager in the league. Only Fabian Hürzeler at Brighton is younger. It's a gamble. A massive one.
His first game was a 5-1 demolition of Charlton in the FA Cup, which had everyone dreaming of a "new manager bounce." But then reality hit. Hard. A 3-2 loss to Arsenal in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final showed just how thin this squad is stretched. Rosenior basically inherited a medical room that looks more like a busy hospital ward than a training ground.
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The Injury Nightmare
Reece James and Cole Palmer. You can't talk about chelsea fc fc news without mentioning those two. They missed the Arsenal game and the Charlton rout. James apparently "took a whack" on his hip, and Palmer’s groin was acting up again.
It's frustrating. It's beyond frustrating.
But there’s a glimmer of hope. Both were spotted in full training at Cobham this past Thursday. The word is they might actually feature in today's 3 p.m. kickoff against Brentford at the Bridge. We need them. Chelsea is currently sitting 8th in the table with 31 points. Brentford—believe it or not—is 5th.
If Chelsea loses today, they’ll fall five points behind their West London rivals. At home. That’s not a stat any Chelsea fan wants to wake up to tomorrow morning.
Transfer Window Chaos
Since it’s January, the rumor mill is spinning at about a thousand miles per hour. The big talk isn't necessarily about who's coming in, but who’s finally leaving.
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The "bomb squad" is still a thing. Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi are basically living in exile. Sterling is being linked with a permanent move to Fulham. It’s weird seeing a guy who was once our main man potentially moving just down the road to Craven Cottage.
Then there’s Kendry Páez. The kid finally turned 18 and moved to Europe, but he was immediately sent to Strasbourg on loan. Now, there are whispers that Rosenior wants him recalled early. He’s a generational talent, but throwing an 18-year-old into this mess? That’s a lot of pressure.
- Leo Castledine: Sold to Middlesbrough for a decent fee.
- Facundo Buonanotte: Loan ended, he’s back at Brighton.
- Teddy Sharman-Lowe: Recalled from Bolton after a Player of the Month run.
- Kiano Dyer: Back from Volendam.
It feels like the club is trying to trim the fat while also desperately looking for someone—anyone—who can stay fit for more than three games in a row.
What to Watch For Today
The Brentford game is massive. It’s Rosenior’s first Premier League game in charge.
Brentford has been a bogey team for us lately. We’ve only won one of our last eight league games against them. Keith Andrews has them playing some really effective football. They’re clinical. They wait for you to make a mistake and then they punish you.
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Chelsea’s predicted XI looks something like this: Sanchez in goal; a back four of James (if fit), Fofana, Chalobah, and Cucurella; Enzo and Caicedo in the pivot; and then a front line featuring Neto, Palmer, Garnacho, and Joao Pedro.
It’s a strong team on paper. But paper doesn't win games at Stamford Bridge.
How to Handle the Rest of January
If you're a Chelsea fan, you need to brace yourself. The schedule is relentless. After Brentford today, there’s a Champions League clash with Pafos on Wednesday, then Crystal Palace away, then a trip to Naples to face Napoli in the Champions League.
It’s make-or-break time for the season.
Next Steps for the Blues:
- Get the Stars Fit: If Palmer and James aren't at 100%, we can't push for the top four. Period.
- Clear the Deadwood: Getting Sterling and Disasi off the wage bill is crucial for FFP/PSR breathing room.
- Establish an Identity: Rosenior needs to show he’s more than just a "tactical fit" from the multi-club model. He needs to win over the Bridge.
Keep an eye on the injury updates right before kickoff today. If Palmer starts, we’ve got a real chance to climb back up that table. If not, it’s going to be a long afternoon in West London.