Ahead of tomorrow evening’s Premier League fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion (kick-off 8pm UK time at the Amex Stadium), Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior faced the media at the club’s Cobham training base this afternoon.
In a detailed and honest press conference, the 41-year-old Englishman addressed the team’s recent struggles, injury updates, tactical approach for the south-coast clash, and the growing external scrutiny on his own position following a difficult period of results.
**Recent struggles and current context**
Since Rosenior was appointed head coach on 6 January 2026 – replacing Enzo Maresca on a six-and-a-half-year contract – Chelsea have recorded 11 wins, 2 draws and 8 losses in all competitions. In the Premier League specifically, the team currently sits sixth, level on points with the sides immediately around them but with a goal difference that keeps European qualification in their own hands (pending results elsewhere).
However, the last four league matches have yielded no goals and four straight defeats, the latest a 1-0 home loss to Manchester United on Saturday that left Rosenior “befuddled” by what he described as a “dominant performance” that was not reflected on the scoreboard. Over the broader period since his arrival, Chelsea have slipped to ninth in the form table, with warning signs including dropped points against lower-table sides, a heavy Champions League last-16 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, and occasional failure to sustain 90-minute intensity.
The squad has shown moments of real quality – including early wins under Rosenior against Brentford, Crystal Palace, West Ham and Wolves, plus a standout 7-0 FA Cup victory over Port Vale – but inconsistency has crept in. Rosenior did not shy away from this in today’s briefing.
“I’ve made mistakes,” he said. “We all have. The players, the staff and me. We’ve had periods where we’ve dominated games and not taken the chances, and we’ve had games where we haven’t been at our best for the full 90 minutes. That’s on me to fix. But I also know this group. I see the work they put in every day. We’re hurting right now, but hurt can be the fuel for a response.”
**Team news and Brighton preview**
On the injury front, Rosenior confirmed Brazilian youngster Estevão Willian will miss the trip to Brighton with a hamstring issue sustained against Manchester United. Captain Enzo Fernández, who withdrew at the weekend with a calf problem, is available. Forward João Pedro is rated a “late call” after missing the United game.
The head coach was typically measured when asked about the tactical challenge posed by Brighton, who sit ninth and have been difficult to break down at home. “They’re a well-organised side who play with intensity and have quality in wide areas,” Rosenior noted. “We’ve prepared for their threats, but more importantly we’ve prepared our own response. We need to be clinical, we need to be relentless, and we need to show the belief that I know is still in this dressing room.”
**On the possibility of his own future being questioned**
Rosenior was directly asked about mounting speculation regarding his position, including reports that failure to secure Champions League football could trigger a break clause in his long-term deal. He addressed the topic head-on while stressing the support he continues to receive from the club’s owners and hierarchy.
“The owners have been 100% supportive – not just in words, but in the resources and patience they’ve shown since January,” he said. “This is a results-based industry, I understand that better than anyone. But I was brought in for a reason: to build something sustainable, to develop players, and to compete at the highest level. We’re still in the fight for Europe with seven games to go. My focus is entirely on Brighton tomorrow night, getting three points, and then the next game, and the next. The noise outside doesn’t change what we do inside these walls.”
Chelsea sit one point outside the top five with a testing run of fixtures remaining. A positive result on the south coast would be a timely boost to both points tally and confidence as the season enters its decisive phase.
Rosenior concluded the press conference on a note of defiance: “I believe in this squad. I believe in the project. And I believe we will show the Chelsea fans and everyone watching exactly what we’re capable of tomorrow.”
**Match details**
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Chelsea FC
Premier League
Tuesday 21 April 2026, 20:00 UK
Amex Stadium
Live on Sky Sports and Chelsea TV
We Breathe Blue
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