Liam Rosenior: No guaranteed places at Chelsea, 'everyone must perform'

Liam Rosenior: No guaranteed places at Chelsea, 'everyone must perform'

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has said he is creating a culture where every player must earn their place in the team with consistent performances.

Ahead of Chelsea's Premier League clash with Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge this Saturday, Rosenior spoke openly about squad selection and the importance of competition.

"I've told the goalkeepers what they need to improve on, I've told them when they've done things really well. I've never had a conversation with a goalkeeper and told them they're my number one," Rosenior explained.

He added: "I don't think it creates uncertainty. If you've got two outstanding left-backs like Marc Cucurella or Jorrel Hato, does it create uncertainty for them? I want competition in every area of the pitch."

Rosenior stressed that his approach rewards form and performance. "I want to give every player an opportunity to show me what they can do to win now, but also what they can do in terms of the long term. The aim is to win things consistently, and both goalkeepers, in different ways, are showing me really good things."

The Chelsea boss also cited the club's history to reinforce his point. "If you go through history at most great clubs, whether it's the goalkeeper position or the number nine position, those shirts are earned on form, those shirts are earned on performance. When Petr Cech came here he was a young goalkeeper, the same with Thibaut Courtois. They earned their time in the team with their performances."

Rosenior wants accountability across the squad. "My idea is to always dominate, no matter who we play. Accountability is collective. I make mistakes, everybody makes mistakes. It's not all on me, it's not all on the players. We're a collective, we're a group. Everyone takes accountability when things don't go your way, as well as when things go well. That's the culture I want at this club."

Chelsea face Newcastle looking to maintain momentum, with Rosenior insisting every player must show they deserve their place in the starting XI.

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