Chelsea Rumours

06 Jan 2026 08:47:54
It's completed all bar a signature Rosenoir will be our new manager.

I think fairly obvioulsy the winners in terms of first team football will be Santos in midfield who he knows from Strasbourg and I also expect Delap to be the nos 9 going forward.

For no paticular reason I feel more excited by this appointment than the last couple.

Must be given time onwards and upwards.

06 Jan 2026 09:13:31
I hope he does well seymns2 and as always he will get my full support, not many big guns out there at the moment and those who were bleating about Maresca might well change their tune when he rocks up at Man U. Others on here have wanted Slot and Amorin and Thomas Frank but they are not exactly tearing up trees are they? the warriors will start again this morning as it fits their agendas but as the name on the tin says, it is a banter page so all great fun and fully inclusive.

06 Jan 2026 10:56:45
Brilliant news. A manager who can actually adapt his tactics.

06 Jan 2026 11:05:32
With the types of players we have, we are going to see a manager who plays football what suits the players. We’re going to see James, gusto and cucurella attacking down the wings. Might even see chalobah, fofana and Acheampong playing together as a back three.

Palmer and estevao, Garnacho will have more attacking threat. No more 2 or three on 1s for the wingers, with the wing backs moving forward. I’m really excited. Looking forward too it.

06 Jan 2026 22:08:10
We have to hope for the best with this new appointment seymns2 even if he seems - as Maresca did too when joining us - to be light on experience at the top level. CFC in EPL is such a huge step up from Strasbourg or Hull. And I don't think his record at Strasbourg has been great. But then perhaps it couldn't be expected to be given their resources and fact we take back some of their nest players who are our loanees. LR did pretty well last season in getting them into Conference League (I think? must check) for this season. Yes CFC in EPL and ECL is a huge step up though.

Amyway Santos should enjoy his arrival plus Kendry Paez and Emmanuel Emegha will know him and hopefully trust him when they join from Strasbourg in the summer -- perhps one or two more from there too I've forgotten?

I haven't watched Strasbourg enough - to be honest hardly at all - to be able to judge LR as a tactician. Would like to hear more comments on this from those who have.

But if LR can play players in best positions and be adaptable in tactics to suit opposition he will have a squad that can still get top 4/5 under him. And they showed under Callum v City that if motivated and focused they van get results against top teams. LR is apparently a v. good man manager and will hope that means he can get best out of his players.

So must hope for success for him and so for the team and for all us fans! And that he will then be able to last longer that the 18 months average tenure of CFC managers in 21st century! Woud be marvelous then to have some head coach stability!

KTBFFH.

07 Jan 2026 09:27:28
I'm with you Seymns – even though my head says this is probably not going to work, my heart is very much in it, somewhat of its own accord. I think most of us fans have been hoping for a longer-term appointment like a Ferguson, a Wenger or a Klopp. Watched a bit of his last press conference at Strasbourg and Rosenior speaks very well – he strikes me as a measured and intelligent man. I don't know about you lot, but I've not really felt properly connected to a CFC manager since Ancelotti, who was my personal favourite of the Abramovich years by miles (first-year Mourinho included), and perhaps even in my time watching Chelsea – great football, and just seemed like a really likeable person.

Hopefully LR can keep that cool head – as they say in boxing, everyone's got a plan till they get punched in the face.

07 Jan 2026 13:57:56
Yes I really liked Carlo A too EdW. Impossible not to given way we played under him 2009-2010.

I know what you. mean about warming to a manager and thought Maresca not an easy man to warm to though I had begun to after CWC win and his running down touchline after Estevao winner v Liverpool. I did like first season Lamps and had like most others had sense of connection with him cos of his playing days plus being CFC thrpugh and through. But his return was pretty humiliating for him though its great he is now having big success with Coventry in the Championship. Perhaps he can return to us and be successful here too one day.

One worry with Liam R is that he seems almost too nice to be a successful head coach but perhaps there is a hairdryer thrower personality in him if really needed?!

07 Jan 2026 15:03:59
That 2009-10 season was incredible JBS. I really lost something as a fan with the way the club treated Carlo.

Agreed on Maresca – generally I never felt sure. Running down the line always a great moment, but a moment like that balanced against the press-conference arrogance and stodgy league football. Telling the team to calm down when we went 1-0 at City last season and were rampant (duly getting schooled for not pressing the advantage) really did my nut.

Would love it if Lamps becomes an actual good manager. Seemed tactically inept in both spells previously (totally open down the middle), though loved how many academy players he brought through. The test will be how Coventry do if they get promoted I guess. It's a huge step up in quality from Championship to PL level, as we've seen last few years with the promoted sides.

I know what you mean about the niceness, but interestingly he's also quite a hard disciplinarian from what I've read – fines for players late for training etc. at Strasbourg, and the clear message 'if they don't want to deal with it we'll get players in who do'. Will be interesting to see how this group of players react to that kind of attitude after Maresca's refusal to discipline. The squad seemed to really love him. If Rosenior can present the case for fines calmly and still be well-liked would be a win – would be amazing if we could start to cut out the pointless bookings for dissent.

07 Jan 2026 17:30:34
EdW thanks for interesting comments on LR as nice yet instiller of disciple among players. That sounds positive and yes especially if we could get the card count down significantly.

What do you -or anyone else on here - think/know about his tactical skills, flexibility, astuteness with substitutions etc? I know so litte about him on most fronts!

I have to agree about how open we were under Lamps in his first season but he had inherited a transfer ban if I recall correctly - a prompt to using academy products a positive outcome there - and he did get us a fourth place finish in league plus to an FA Cup final though we lost it.

07 Jan 2026 21:54:58
I know almost as little as you, JBS. But from what I've heard he's tactically flexible, with a few different routes of attack (though his team have found it hard to play against a massed defense – which isn't surprising, as it's generally really hard to play against a team in a low block. On a side note, when did 'low block' replace 'parking the bus' as the way to describe a team parking the bus? ) . Had a Strasbourg side that was the youngest squad in Ligue 1 playing well – one of the posters on here has been watching them this season, HDKN I think, so they might have more info for you on his effectiveness with subs etc.

They were flying until November – seem to be suffering the same winter blues we have for the past however many seasons it is now – eight? I swear it predates Clearlake even, this late-year/early-year slump.

01 Jan 2026 15:29:39
Athletic (Ornstein) reporting that Maresca had meetings with City personnel as far back as October. For me, that brings a few of his subsequent actions / comments into focus and it’s doesn’t place Maresca in a favourable light. The other thing that’s being pulled into focus is the fact that Rosenior is the front runner to take over, which is a move I completely disagree with for both him and the club.

For me, I’d like to see the club go for Iraola. Lots of reports that a new coach will be in place within days, probably before the City game, so we won’t have to wait long to see who it is.

01 Jan 2026 16:51:54
Rosenior more likely than most to be yes man the SDs and Eghbali would like?

01 Jan 2026 17:17:07
J, I’m not trying to defend EM or any other Chelsea employee and that includes the owners.

We have no idea when the SD’s first spoke to him about various issues. I was only told about these various incident/arguments that been happening after the Atalanta game. I have no idea if the concerns on either side were justified or reasonable.

I guess a lot depends on who we choose to believe. If a fan dislikes the manager, it will be his fault. If a fan dislikes the SD’s or owners then it’s going to be their fault. My guess is they probably all have to take a percentage of the responsibility/blame.

01 Jan 2026 18:06:49
Yes JBS, I think that’s definitely a factor. He has done a decent job at Strasbourg, working under similar stipulations, with the youngest squad in Europe. Of course, if he comes in, I hope we’re wowed by him and his tactics. I don’t think it’ll go down well at all though, I think lots will see it as a lack of ambition and a bad start will be met with the fans showing their feelings - loudly and clearly. In fact, anything but hitting the ground running would cause a pretty toxic atmosphere at the bridge, which, in my opinion, puts Rosenior in a pretty unfavourable situation, if he gets the job.

Tom, for me, some reliable journo’s have spelt out what’s happened and why Maresca is no longer our coach. But, it’s done now, we just have to look forward to the next trip around the merry go round.

01 Jan 2026 18:42:01
J

Hitting the ground running g will be difficult as we have 9 games in 27 days therefore training ground routines will be at a minimal.

01 Jan 2026 18:51:24
J, spot on mate. As far as I’m concerned, thanks for everything Enzo and we move on.

01 Jan 2026 20:14:02
Very difficult indeed Bill, why would you put an inexperienced coach through that? They might go into it with patience and recognition for the difficulty of the task, but many won’t.

01 Jan 2026 20:55:39
I have to agree with you J.

02 Jan 2026 13:05:07
Im honestly in disbelief that they are even considering Liam Rossenior. Has 0 credentials, got sacked from Hull, worked under Rooney at Derby where they had a miserable time and let be honest isn't exactly doing brilliant at Strasbourg. Not being funny but why would any of our players by into any of his philopsophys.

I agree with sacking Maresca but only if your going to bring a new coach who you can see making a genuine improvement to the squad. I don't like the model of having sporting directors where coaches have 0 say on incomings and outgoings, it does not give them a fair chance at building successful side. You look at all the best teams over the years, the manager has always been top dog.

02 Jan 2026 14:13:57
Whitey, I guess top dog a Chelsea is training, tactics, picking the team and press conferences.

Other duties are elsewhere and I’m personally ok ish with the new structure but I can imagine the lines of responsibility often become blurred.

02 Jan 2026 17:05:59
Don't mind the structure except would rather have one shareholder in charge of the club Todd Bohely

Would rather only have one sporting director don't care which one a bit like Ant and Dec I can't tell them apart.

06 Jan 2026 13:02:04
I will be blunt about the rosenoir as the new manager. I think no English manager has ever won the epl title and rosenoir particularly hasn't stood out to get the position except being a yes man to egbali who's not goingto push the club to the top. Not really excited about the appointment and likely going to be like potter's. So I guess it's one to hold on to till when they are ready to appoint a real manager that they will back with the needful that they refused enzo.

06 Jan 2026 14:35:21
I hope we all have reasons to be cheerful with our new managers appointment.

01 Jan 2026 08:13:06
Seems to be judgement day for Maresca. Problem is, whoever comes in will face the same issues of having no experience, an average squad and has to be a 'yes' man.

Happy New Year all. I hope 2026 is full of joy and new memories.

01 Jan 2026 12:28:05
interesting to see who will get it.

01 Jan 2026 12:31:09
Happy New Year Dan and to all other posters.

Appears that Liam Rossenior will be the new manager which personally fills me with no confidence at all.

01 Jan 2026 13:24:18
It’s his formation those stupid inverted full backs holds every player on the pitch back.

28 Dec 2025 20:06:04
Just had a longish conversation with a fellow ST holder who says he has been told that EM will be sacked if we lose on Tuesday.

I personally think it’s just noise. I think EM will be our manager until the end of the season. I also believe his future at the club will be decided by the owners/SD’s at the usual end of season review.

29 Dec 2025 13:32:32
Arsenal stuck by Arteta through very lean times Tom when the majority of their fans wanted him out, now look at them. Man U sticking with Amorim and starting to pick up, Liverpool stuck with Slot and starting to pick up, we need a period of stability and are in the top 5 of the toughest league in the world and patience is needed, give him until the end of the season and then evaluate which is what clubs with a proper plan tend to do.

Ignore fans calling for a new gaffer as those same fans will soon turn on the new coach and we go through the same motions all over again.

29 Dec 2025 14:19:01
RPD, I agree. I hope EM is our manager for years to come for the obvious reasons.

29 Dec 2025 15:47:43
Is that how long pep is staying at Man City Tom?

29 Dec 2025 16:58:02
Not sure what Pep has got to do with anything but he is leaving City in the summer so I assume EM will be mentioned for the job but the bigger rumour is EM to Juve.

Either wouldn’t be a bad job for an “idiot” or “clown. ”.

29 Dec 2025 18:00:26
Rom

I'm sure you know that many people get jobs where they are out of their depth.

29 Dec 2025 18:24:14
I suppose it could be argued that we all give our opinions even when we are not qualified to give an opinion.

EM is qualified to be a coach. At the moment he is deemed as a successful coach by some and not bye others.

There are some who just want him sacked without even suggesting an available alternative.

If he is to leave, the end of the season would seem to me to be a good time on lots of levels.

29 Dec 2025 20:24:45
Tom

No matter how many suggestions we make, it's not in our hands so it really does not matter who we would want, it's all down to the owners and SD's.

29 Dec 2025 20:31:17
Bill, exactly and the chances of them making me happy are close to zero if they do it now and about 20% if they decided to do it in the summer.

30 Dec 2025 09:13:34
Says a lot about our ownership and leadership then Tom.

30 Dec 2025 10:05:27
I think it says more about fickle fans and how impossible it is to make all football fans happy.

My view and main focus is on supporting the club, manager and players as often as I possibly can.

30 Dec 2025 11:08:40
He better off sacked. He wants to leave anyway. His tactics don’t work, we’re being found out with these eatupid inverted full backs. We’re getting caught out out wide. Our wingers need help over lapping runs ect.

Garnacho and Neto are always two or three on one. It’s pathetic. If we lose the ball we’re screwed. Cucurella is in midfield, challobah had to come across then we’re left with one maybe two defenders left to mark 4 attackers.

30 Dec 2025 12:01:51
I may well be wrong but I actually think there are some supporters who are so desperate to see the back of EM, they want us to lose.

30 Dec 2025 15:01:52
Never Tom, not sure where you got that assumption from, I have not read anything like that on here.

30 Dec 2025 15:53:52
Bill, I have this season and twice last season. It’s probably me but I think that some just want EM gone at any cost.

30 Dec 2025 18:55:02
I said I would rather watch us lose 5-4 than watch some of the boring football we have endured recently.

That being if we score 4 its at least entertaining every game. At the minute we are lucky to score one or two if we manage to bore the pants off the opposition first. And sneak behind their low block. All so boring and slow

Would I want then beaten so someone gets the sack no. I just want he to actually entertain us.

30 Dec 2025 21:40:12
I didn’t find that first half very entertaining and it finished 2-2. I was far happier with our second half controlled performance and that finished
0-0. I know what half I preferred.

30 Dec 2025 21:56:24
Tom

There is absolutely no pint in controlling possession if you can't win a game.

30 Dec 2025 22:12:38
Tomb you prefer a 0-0 draw over a 2-2 draw. Suppose it says the difference in our personalities.

You like a good old bore fest 0-0 and I want to be entertained with goals with a 2-2.

No wonder you keep beating the bore. Sorry I ment drum from merasca.

30 Dec 2025 22:23:36
Bill, I got shouted down about my preference for winning over performance. My position hasn’t changed.

As I’ve said before, three champions league finals, two git outplayed and won the other we were the better side and lost. I know what games made me happy.

30 Dec 2025 22:34:28
Definitely won't argue with that Tom.

30 Dec 2025 22:52:05
From a Chelsea prospective I can’t believe anyone enjoyed or was entertained by that first half performance.

Give me a boring win any day of the week.

30 Dec 2025 23:53:50
You never said boring win. You said a 0-0 over a 2-2.

31 Dec 2025 05:10:28
I preferred the second half 0-0 display rather than the first half 2-2 sh#t show.

I will also take any boring win over any entertaining draw or loss. Hence my Champions League response to the post from Bill.

31 Dec 2025 20:53:44
yeh problem is tom pal. we're not winning anymore. with everything that's come out today its been made clear as day maresca is gone. shame we can't be rid of the idiot directors and eghbali.

31 Dec 2025 22:01:15
My last comments of 2025- I don’t care what anyone thinks.
Maresca is nowhere near a top class coach and never will be- the Pep Lite possession football is boring and stifles our creative players. However, I do have some sympathy for him being overseen by the two Muppets and when he goes I do worry about who might be appointed. No top class manager would want to work under the present setup. So, Sanchez has improved: really. He has obviously been instructed to hoof the ball upfield or throw it out because he has two left feet.

He has no composure or positional sense and flaps around like a half-dead fish on a trawler and when we concede he tries to blame everyone else. Watch the replays of the goals we conceded against Bournemouth yesterday. Garnacho, Gittens, Pedro and Delap are poor signings and wouldn’t start for any top team. The one positive is Estavou but if Maresca stays he be ruined and Palmer will be off.

01 Jan 2026 00:46:44
Sounds like I owe my mate a drink. Good info and dismissed by me.

23 Dec 2025 11:01:24
Apparently we have taken on Pegasus airways as sponsor. So I assume any chance that existed of an airline FOS sponsor has disappeared.

23 Dec 2025 16:25:28
Never heard of them Tom, are they a fly by night company.

23 Dec 2025 16:39:56
haha! and day!

24 Dec 2025 09:32:40
And still no FOS.

14 Dec 2025 09:37:31
Anyone know what that Maresca rant was about? ED01? My groups take is that he has had a fall out with the SD's or owners which will only end in one way. He has been described as a "yes man" on here but I never thought that was the case and I voted to keep him in that recent poll.

{Ed001's Note - there has been a disagreement over recruitment in January. He has not done himself any favours though, he knew the remit when he took on the job.}

14 Dec 2025 10:14:18
As I said in last nights post, I was told it was an argument with the SD”s but I would he didn’t mention what caused it.

14 Dec 2025 10:47:02
Thanks for clearing that up ED01, do you think he will now leave?

{Ed001's Note - no, he is going public because he believes he is safe.}

14 Dec 2025 11:05:16
Was it a case of him asking for a centre half who can play out from the back to get the team moving the ball quicker which is what he requested in the summer only to be told he couldn't have one?

{Ed001's Note - that is only part of it, from what I am told.}

14 Dec 2025 12:40:53
Ok, I have spoken to my mate again this morning who told me roughly what happened yesterday evening.

There are apparently three phases to this small but noisy bust up. One of the SD’s asked about a player’s performance after the Bournemouth game and then again after the Atalanta game, both times EM told the the SD it had nothing to do with him. Also some players heard the second argument and are now more aligned with EM then ever before.
The SD didn’t stop there, he then asked why a certain player didn’t play, again EM told him team selection had nothing to do with the SD.
The SD now getting nowhere asks about two players not being fit for the Atalanta game, EM tells him to talk to the fitness and medical team.
EM also kept saying “show me some respect” but the SD getting nowhere with his questions just kept on ranting. EM walked off with a couple of other coaches.

Please lads, that is my mates version of events and he probably got it third hand. The upshot is the players now love EM more than ever and an owner probably needs to call a meeting to sort it out.

My mate also said as a parting comment that it sounds worse than it apparently was.

14 Dec 2025 12:49:00
Does Tom's story fit with what you have heard ED01?

{Ed001's Note - not really, nor would it make any sense. The SDs have to know who is not performing and who is, so they know which players need to be replaced/upgraded upon. They get full analysis and match reports, plus reports from the fitness and conditioning staff, on an ongoing basis anyway. So no idea why Maresca would take offence to being asked for a report.}

14 Dec 2025 12:52:39
Thank you for the update Tom.

14 Dec 2025 13:16:50
He apparently just pointed the SD in the direction of the medical and fitness people.

Out of the three questions apparently asked I would have thought that was the easiest question to answer.

14 Dec 2025 13:18:09
My pleasure Bill.

14 Dec 2025 13:21:21
Sorry I should have also added that this the same guy who told me JT was definitely staying at Chelsea and he was actually working for Chelsea at that time.

14 Dec 2025 15:15:54
Thanks ED01 for clarifying that.

{Ed001's Note - very welcome.}

14 Dec 2025 15:24:21
Sounds like someone is clutching at straws then ed001.
From the info you have. You already said what part of it was about. Have you and info on the other parts.

{Ed001's Note - only other thing I have heard is that this has been an issue that has grown between Maresca and the SDs - a power battle really, rather than just an out of nowhere outburst. I don't think the club have any choice but to take the side of the SDs as otherwise it is all short term thinking.}

14 Dec 2025 15:44:54
Thanks ed. As you said he knew what he signed up for. But hopefully this puts some fire in a few people belly and results in better performances.

{Ed001's Note - I am sure they will sort it out.}

14 Dec 2025 16:09:30
I think it was Bill who said EM Knew what he signed up for and I assume that applies to all the workforce at CfC.

I don’t think there are any straws to clutch just sounds like a long term brewing argument to me. Should be easy to resolve.

My guess is, at the next press conference EM will say it’s all been resolved.

14 Dec 2025 17:40:23
It was actually ed001 that said he knew what he signed up for.

14 Dec 2025 17:48:30
Good post and thread Greenaway and Tom and thanks Ed001 for your inputs.

It was seemigly falling out with SDs plus one of the owners ( not Boehly) that led to the ' parting of ways' of the club with Poch.

But i think Maresca can only be officially 'reviewed" at the end of this season.

It has only ever. made sense to. me to give him the two seasons at least and I hope he does well enough to see out a few more if not the whole 5 he signed up for. But of coutse he/ the squad has to perform and a manager will obviously want to be listened to in terms of transfers. Cos it's his job on the line if obvious weaknesses not dealt with.

14 Dec 2025 17:53:30
Does anyone. know if there is any truth in rumour that club has somehow spoken tp Glasner telling him not to renew hic contract with Palace? Sounded like clickbait or paper talk to me .

wpukd be shocking in many ways if true . not least at this stage in season. Surely Maresca should only be judged at end of season. But should he have spoken out in way be did?

{Ed001's Note - Glasner has long since told Palace that he is not renewing and his agent has been touting him round. There is no way Chelsea would need to do anything.}

14 Dec 2025 18:34:16
CFB, I was making reference to the comment that Bill made on this subject in another thread earlier this morning.

14 Dec 2025 18:38:52
JBS, if as I expect there is an EM performance review at the end of the season I would hope he stays but if the club do decide to go down yet another new manager route I hope it’s the current manager of Stuttgart with my wildcard being the Ipswich manager.

While I respect what Palace have achieved I can’t cokay say I’m a massive fan of their manager.

14 Dec 2025 19:06:15
Strangely, this might be what brings the club together and the young squad now pushes on to fulfil their full potential.

14 Dec 2025 19:10:25
Makes sense Ed001 thanks!

{Ed001's Note - very welcome. I would be surprised if you want him, there is a reason he doesn't stay anywhere for long - he is a hard person to work with. A bit of a dick by all accounts.}

14 Dec 2025 19:15:47
Bill, you could well be right, especially if it’s true that the players heard some of the comments and rallied behind EM.

Whatever the truth is it would be nice if it had a positive effect on our performances.

15 Dec 2025 09:36:15
Absolutely agree Tom.

16 Dec 2025 20:00:17
Tom, I don’t know why you say you want Maresca to stay- nothing so far this season has shown any improvement- let’s wait until the end of the season and make an assessment. You all know my views on the SDs but it is clear that the owners are fully behind them.

So, if it’s a battle between the SDs and Maresca, there is only one loser. As for Glasner; no thanks, far to wedded to a back three. Certainly wouldn’t be on my list as a future manager.

17 Dec 2025 18:03:23
Jimbo, I would have thought it would be blindingly obvious why I want EM to be our manager for next season and for the next ten seasons!

The only way that can happen is if the owners believe he is successful. If we are successful, I would have thought all the Chelsea fans would be happy.