Liam Rosenior offered chilling Chelsea warning as boss issued ultimatum

Chelsea appointed Liam Rosenior as Enzo Maresca’s replacement earlier this month and he has been sent a warning ahead of his first Premier League game in charge of the Blues

Liam Rosenior has been told that he should be aiming for Champions League football at the end of the season. The 41-year-old was appointed as Enzo Maresca’s replacement earlier this month following an impressive spell with Strasbourg.

He enjoyed a dream start to life in West London, having guided the Blues to an emphatic 5-1 win against Charlton Athletic. But it’s set to be a testing week for Rosenior and the Blues.

Chelsea take on Arsenal in the first-leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday ahead of the weekend’s clash with in-form Brentford in the Premier League. Rosenior will certainly be hoping for a positive first league game, with Chelsea sitting in eighth in the table.

Former player and coach Jody Morris has told him that he needs to secure a Champions League spot between now and the end of the season or he too could find his position under threat.

Speaking to AceOdds.com, he said: “Expectation wise, I don't think we should differ from what they were at the beginning of the season. They have to be looking at achieving Champions League football and try to go deep in competitions.

“I am not the type of person who thinks you can win something every year, but the fact that they won trophies last season puts us in the situation where we can try to compete.

“I think they have to do better than what they are doing at the moment, hence why they changed the manager. After watching the first game, I don't think there is too much of a difference between what Enzo Maresca was playing and what Liam Rosenior want to do.

“I don't think the expectations should change, and I also think he will continue down the same road. We should be looking at Champions League football and build on what they did last season because they haven't really done that this season, which probably has been one of the biggest disappointments.”

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“I am sure Liam Rosenior has the same expectations as well. He has already expressed how excited he is to work with such talented players.”

Rosenior was surprisingly handed a six-and-a-half year deal to become Chelsea’s latest manager. That would see him remain at Stamford Bridge until 2032.

Following this weekend’s clash with Brentford, Rosenior will turn his attention to the club’s Champions League campaign. The West Londoners sit outside of the automatic qualification spots for the round of 16 ahead of next week’s clash with Cypriot side Pafos.