“The past is the past,” claims new Chelsea boss Rosenior | OneFootball

Liam Rosenior insists his players must “earn their place in the team” as he gears up for his first Premier League match as Chelsea head coach.

The new Blues boss has had a mixed start to life in SW6, overseeing a rampant 5-1 victory over Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup before a spirited 2-3 defeat to Arsenal in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

“There has to be competition” for places

Rosenior, who was handed a six-and-a-half-year deal ten days ago, stated he does not “have guaranteed number ones or guaranteed numbers nines.”

“It’s the same for every position, I’m here to assess every position; I don’t have number ones or number twos, that’s not how I work.”

“If you look at me at every club, there has to be competition. I work on performance, not just in the goalkeeping department but in every position on the pitch and you have to earn your spot in this team – I have a very good squad.”

Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez came under criticism from supporters this week after his blunder against the Gunners allowed Viktor Gyökeres to tap home for the visitors’ second.

“Every manager that comes in has a different idea, there are different triggers, there are different patterns in terms of what I’m asking not just Rob to do, but the whole team – it’s never going to be perfect the first time.”

“It’s making sure that the decision making, not just of Rob, but the whole team is there. That will come, I’ve got no doubt about it. Rob’s had an outstanding season.”

“It would be great” to have James and Palmer fit

The Blues are currently battling an outbreak of illness amongst the squad but could be boosted by the returns of captain Reece James and talisman Cole Palmer after the pair missed the clash with Arsenal.

“Both of them are training today [Thursday], we just need to assess them after training and make sure they come through all of the protocols they need to come through but it would be great to have them back in the squad. At the moment, it looks like they could be.”

Chelsea will be searching for just their fifth home league win of the season against Brentford on Saturday, but the new boss says “the past is the past”.

“I want us to be front-footed, I want us to be high tempo especially in the beginning of the game, and take the game to the opposition so they know it’s a difficult game to come to Stamford Bridge.”

“The most important thing is that we do the basics really, really well. Win duels, defend set plays well and that’s something we have to improve.”