Exclusive: Marcel Desailly tells Chelsea fans to be ‘patient’ with board and Liam Rosenior | OneFootball

Exclusive: Marcel Desailly defends Chelsea board after recent criticism

Despite a positive start under new head coach Liam Rosenior, Chelsea fans are losing patience with the direction of the club.

Many saw the appointment of Rosenior as massively underwhelming and as the latest poor decision from the board.

However, former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly, speaking exclusively to EPL Index, has defended the board and called for patience from supporters…

“The Chelsea board know what they’re doing”

When asked whether the fans are right to be losing patience with the board, Desailly was strong in his response: 

“As a fan, you want your team to win. But the Chelsea fans need to understand the current project,” began Desailly, “Three years ago, everyone was laughing at Chelsea and the way they operated in the transfer market – many said Chelsea would win nothing this way, buying only young players.”

Photo: IMAGO

“But three years later, you see Chelsea earning the respect of many with their Club World Cup win,” continued Desailly, “As a fan you are never patient, and you want to win every game, but you have to understand that the Chelsea board know what they are doing.”

“In football, even with the right philosophy, and good players, you cannot control everything – that’s the magic of the game. Chelsea need to win, that’s for sure, but the fans need to understand the project.”

“I want to keep my faith with the Chelsea board and the philosophy of the club. Three years ago, we may have thought the ownership were mad, buying all these young players. But a lot of the players that were bought, have now improved their level and will be worth more money.”

Heading in the right direction?

Chelsea have won four of the five games since Rosenior’s appointment, with the latest being an impressive away victory over Crystal Palace.

Currently sitting fifth, the Blues have their eyes set on Champions League qualification. With a favourable run of games against the likes of West Ham United, Wolves, Leeds United and Burnley, there’s a real opportunity to solidify their position.

In the Champions League, they currently sit eighth. A victory against Napoli on Wednesday would secure them a place in the last 16.

Whilst the club can get a bit messy, there’s plenty of positives for Chelsea fans at the moment and Desailly believes now is the time to back their side.