“We’re running out of time”, says Rosenior ahead of Chelsea’s clash with United | OneFootball

Liam Rosenior insisted that his Chelsea side rediscover their goalscoring touch to boost their hopes of Champions League qualification ahead of Manchester United’s visit to Stamford Bridge.

Following their torrid run two wins from their last eight league games, the Blues sit in sixth place and are looking nervously over their shoulders at Brentford and Everton, just one point behind, who could leapfrog them in the Europa League spot.

Liam Rosenior issued a rallying cry for his Chelsea players to deliver Champions League football for the club and its fans ahead of next season, despite admitting that time is ticking away for them to find a spark.

He said: “We have to take advantage of this moment, we’re running out of time. We need to show that initiative on Saturday evening.

“We need to play on the front foot and we need to make up those points, which is still definitely possible.”

A notable factor in their poor run of form has been goals drying up – excluding the 7-0 thrashing of League One side Port Vale in the FA Cup quarter finals, they have not scored in any of their past four games.

Rosenior insisted their creativity is not the issue, but lamented Chelsea’s profligacy in ultimately setting them apart from their fellow Champions League qualification hopefuls above them.

He said: “In terms of chance creation, we’re actually still very good. We just haven’t taken those moments. We need to be more clinical.

“We need to be more ruthless in both boxes and not give up chances from our own doing.”

The Chelsea boss also attributed the dip in form to costly reactions to conceding the first goal, alluding to the defeats before the international break against Newcastle United and Paris Saint Germain.

Rosenior said: “If I look at each game, I think it has just come down to a loss of concentration or focus in a moment. That has then snowballed into the rest of the performances.

“What I want to see the team do is go and push for the first goal, and not give the first goal up.”

With United centre backs Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez suspended for Saturday night’s clash at Stamford Bridge, this should only incentivise Rosenior’s players to fulfil his wishes.

Chelsea continue to have absentees in their own defensive department, as Rosenior provided fitness updates on Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah, and captain Reece James.

He said: “Levi will play some minutes for the Under 21s [on Friday], which is fantastic for him. When you have a long term injury, you need a long rehab period.

“I want to make sure he’s 100% right in terms of his match fitness before we consider him for selection for our first team.”

“Trevor trained today,” he added. “Not quite fully; it was modified training. We’ll make a decision on him, but he’s very, very close. Reece is a little bit further away.”

After being dropped by Rosenior for two matches following suggestions that his future lies elsewhere, he confirmed that Enzo Fernandez will be available against Manchester United.

Rosenior added: “Enzo’s been training with the group. He’s been training very, very well and it’s business as usual in terms of the selection for the game.”

The clash kicks off on Saturday at 20:00 (GMT), with live coverage on Sky Sports Main Event.