The Blues head into the fixture on the back of a worrying run six defeats in their last seven matches; leaving them seven points adrift of the Champions League places in the Premier League.
Even more alarming, Chelsea have failed to score a league goal in over a month, highlighting a deep-rooted attacking crisis.
Speaking ahead of the trip to the Amex Stadium, Rosenior did not hide from the reality of the situation.
“The reality for me is we are nowhere near looking like the team that I want us to look like; I knew that coming in.”
Rosenior, who only took charge in January, explained that limited time and the need for immediate results have prevented him from fully implementing his football philosophy.
Rosenior acknowledged that stepping into a team mid-season requires compromise especially when results are poor.
“You have your own ideas… but it’s not about you as a coach, it’s about the players and what they can perform.”
He also paid respect to his predecessor, suggesting that drastic changes were not always the right approach upon arrival.
However, the reality of Chelsea’s situation has forced a shift in priorities.
“We know where we want to get to in the long term… but we need to win the games now.”
Summer Rebuild Key to Chelsea’s Future
The Chelsea boss hinted that a full pre-season and summer transfer window will be critical in shaping the team to match his vision.
“You have to put your ego aside… there’s so much more that we want to do with the team.”
Rosenior pointed to successful teams as examples ; clubs that thrive on:
- Long-term planning
- Consistent recruitment
- Clear tactical identity
These are areas Chelsea are currently struggling to establish during an in-season transition.
Despite the poor form, Rosenior remains optimistic about the club’s potential.
“I’m very excited… at what this club can achieve in a very short space of time.”
But he was quick to bring the focus back to reality:
“None of that matters if we don’t win games now.”
For Chelsea , the coming fixtures could define their season and possibly Rosenior’s early tenure.
With Champions League hopes fading and confidence low, the Blues must find:
- Goals
- Consistency
- Belief
And they must find them quickly.
