Chelsea’s 2025-26 season has taken a sharp downward turn under head coach Liam Rosenior. A 3-0 defeat at Everton on March 21, 2026, marked their third loss in four Premier League matches and extended a run of no wins in four games across all competitions. The result leaves Chelsea sixth in the table, just one point ahead of seventh-placed Everton and only marginally clear of the chasing pack with seven matches remaining.
The latest setback follows an 8-2 aggregate Champions League last-16 exit against Paris Saint-Germain and has intensified scrutiny on Rosenior’s methods, squad selection, and the club’s overall direction.
Recent Form: A Rapid Decline
Since Rosenior replaced Enzo Maresca in January 2026, Chelsea initially showed promise. They won five of their first 10 Premier League matches under him, placing them fourth in the form table during that period—behind only Manchester United, Arsenal, and Manchester City.
However, the past 10 days have been disastrous:
- 8-2 aggregate Champions League elimination by PSG
- 1-0 home loss to Newcastle
- 3-0 defeat at Everton
Chelsea have now lost three of their last four league games—the same number of defeats they suffered in their previous 18 matches combined. They have also failed to score in three consecutive games across all competitions for the first time since September 2023, despite attempting 52 shots (16 on target) in those fixtures.
Vice-captain Enzo Fernandez voiced concern after the Newcastle defeat, stating the team had lost “identity, structure and direction” since Maresca’s departure. While Fernandez embraced Rosenior post-match, his comments highlighted deeper unease within the squad.
Tactical and Selection Issues
Rosenior has faced criticism for excessive rotation—Chelsea have made 99 changes from match to match in the Premier League this season, more than any other club. The goalkeeping situation remains unresolved, with Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen alternating. Sanchez has made several high-profile errors, while Jorgensen’s groin injury forced another switch.
Defensive selections have also drawn scrutiny. Mamadou Sarr’s early mistake at right-back proved costly against PSG, and the team has looked tactically open during their recent slump. Rosenior has encouraged shorter build-up play in certain matches, but execution has been inconsistent.
Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin observed on BBC Radio 5 Live: “You need to find out why [the players] are not getting the best out of themselves at present. That can’t be allowed to happen in the Premier League.”
The Everton Defeat in Detail
Everton outran and outfought Chelsea at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Beto and Ilman Ndiaye scored the decisive goals, exposing familiar issues: Chelsea conceded the opening goal for the fourth consecutive Premier League match (a repeat of a streak last seen in November 2023).
The visitors lacked intensity and composure. Their only goal came from an Everton mistake, and they rarely threatened an equalizer. Rosenior admitted: “Brighton were the better team and deserved to win.”
Rosenior’s Response and Mitigating Factors
Rosenior has remained defiant: “I don’t focus on the noise… We have to dust ourselves down and make sure we come back fighting.” He pointed to injuries (Salah, Alisson, Ekitike) and the punishing schedule as contributing factors: “We’ve had a lot of setbacks.”
He also highlighted Chelsea’s form since his appointment: “We have played 10 Premier League games in my time here and have 17 points. We are not in as bad a place as the noise suggests.”
Former England striker Wayne Rooney, who worked with Rosenior at Derby County, defended him: “He started really well… He has been from the moment he went in. He needs to figure out a way to get out of it.”
Champions League Qualification Still in Reach
Chelsea remain in the hunt for a fifth Champions League spot (the Premier League is expected to secure an additional place). They hold a one-point lead over sixth-placed Liverpool (with a game in hand) and are only two points clear of seventh-placed Everton.
However, the margin for error has vanished. The next fortnight includes:
- International break
- FA Cup quarter-final vs Manchester City (April 4)
- Champions League quarter-final first leg vs PSG (Paris)
- Return leg vs PSG (Anfield, six days later)
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock warned: “If they go and play like that in Paris it could be 10-0. That’s how bad Liverpool were today… It’s very, very worrying for Liverpool.”
Defining Weeks Ahead
The international break offers a reset, but Slot faces a brutal run upon return. Chelsea’s next seven Premier League fixtures include clashes with Manchester City, Arsenal, and other top-half sides. Failure to reverse the slide risks missing Champions League football—a major financial and prestige blow.
Rosenior must stabilize the team quickly. The squad possesses talent, but consistency, defensive solidity, and clinical finishing remain elusive. The coming weeks will determine whether this is a temporary dip or a deeper crisis.
For a club with Chelsea’s resources and ambitions, the current trajectory is unacceptable. Rosenior needs answers—and results—fast.
