- 7 months ago
Rosenior on Chelsea latest ahead of Brentford
15/01/2026
Cobham training ground, Surrey, UK
15/01/2026
Cobham training ground, Surrey, UK
Category
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SportsTranscript
00:00Good afternoon, and thank you for joining us.
00:21We will take the usual format today, with broadcast section and then a written section embargoed for 10.30 tomorrow evening.
00:29We'll begin with Gail Davis from Sky Sports News. Off you go, Gail.
00:33Admittedly, it's like probably about 12 hours since it was all, but we might be able to update on asking some of this.
00:40First of all, how's that illness, have you managed to contain it, and the likes of he ended up in the stat yesterday, is he all right?
00:49No, he's still at home at the moment, recovering, as is Jamie Gittins.
00:53Our club doctors are doing everything they can to contain what looks to be a virus, because some members of our staff have gone down as well.
01:01Had a meeting today with the players about washing your hands, the basics, which is really important, and hopefully we can contain it.
01:08We have a busy period, so we need everyone ready to go and fit and healthy.
01:12And obviously you spoke about Cole Palmer, who I hope he will train tomorrow.
01:16Rhys James, can you just expand on that situation?
01:19You just said it was a hit problem, but where is he?
01:23I guess managing him is so crucial, because he is so crucial for you.
01:28Yeah, both of them are training today.
01:31So we just need to assess them after training, make sure that they come through all of the protocols they need to come through.
01:37But it would be great to have them back in the squad, and at the moment it looks like they could be.
01:41Yeah, just news of Fakunda Wanamete going to Leeds.
01:48For you, I guess, is it good for him, and does it bring up another space for you to bring somebody else in that maybe is more suited to what you want to do?
01:59Well, firstly on Fakunda, I thought he was magnificent against Charlton.
02:03I thought he gave a really good performance.
02:05I felt in terms of the games and the minutes he's had, it's not quite what he wants.
02:09So we're looking into the best solution for him.
02:12I'm in constant communication with the sporting directors and the ownership about potential transfers that are good for us, both coming in and coming out.
02:22But I said to them when I first came in, I want to look at this group.
02:25I want to assess this group because you get good surprises.
02:28And if something is right for us in any position, that's going to help the team and the club, and we'll look at it.
02:34I know you spoke a lot about Robert Sanchez last night.
02:37Just looking back on those quotes, I was interested, you talked about having worked with him for two days and asking him to do certain things.
02:45What sort of things did you ask him to do?
02:49Because clearly you took the responsibility.
02:52Of course.
02:53And Manchester United's side has certainly put a consistent performance together for Chelsea this season.
02:59Yeah, I got asked the same question last night.
03:03There's always differences.
03:05I might not answer it properly now.
03:08No, look, every manager that comes in has a different idea.
03:11There are different triggers.
03:12There are different patterns in terms of what I'm asking, not just Rob to do, but the whole team.
03:18Positions you take up on build.
03:20It's never going to be perfect the first time.
03:24When it's right to be direct and to play, especially against the man-for-man press, it's the right thing to do.
03:30It's just making sure that the decision-making, not just of Rob, of the whole team is there.
03:34That will come.
03:35I will no doubt about it.
03:36Rob's had an outstanding season.
03:38Philippe showed really, really good signs of his understanding as well against Charlton.
03:42But what I have to do is to find balance.
03:45I want to win now.
03:46I want to improve the team and put my stamp on it.
03:48And that's what we'll work on for Brentford.
03:50And you've obviously seen both goalkeepers now play a game for you.
03:54And there was dropping and changing between the two quite a bit last season.
03:57But for you, DeSantis remain your number one for the Premier League.
04:02It's the same for every position.
04:04I'm here to assess.
04:05I'm here to assess every position.
04:07I don't have number ones or number twos.
04:09That's not how I work.
04:10If you look at me at every club, there has to be competition.
04:13I work on performance, not just in the goalkeeping department, but in every position on the pitch.
04:18And you have to earn your spot in this team.
04:21I have a very good squad.
04:22So for me, that's the message to all of the players.
04:24I don't have guaranteed number ones or guaranteed number nines.
04:28They have to earn their place in the team.
04:29And just finding for me, I think you mentioned the other day you worked with Keith at Sky, didn't you?
04:35I think you played to each other once in your career.
04:38Do you remember that?
04:39No.
04:402011.
04:40That's why it was so long ago.
04:42What was the score?
04:43You won Hull B. Ipswich 1-0.
04:45Oh, wow.
04:46That's the only time I think you've ever met in a sort of professional playing career.
04:51I wondered, obviously, analysts together, sort of similar age, both been given opportunities at community clubs.
04:58Did you keep that communication?
05:00Have you sort of bounced ideas over your mate for years?
05:02Have you got a relationship with him?
05:03And Clint, obviously, impressed with what he's done so far.
05:06Yeah, he's done a great job.
05:08I'm not surprised because I've known Keith.
05:10I've had really good conversations with him over the last few years.
05:14He's always been really passionate about the game.
05:16He's got a lot of experience in coaching in different roles.
05:20And his team are performing really, really well.
05:23I've got a good relationship with him.
05:24He's a good guy.
05:25And, yeah, really not surprised at what he's done so far with Brentford.
05:31He's at a good club where they have a clear idea about their infrastructure and what they want to do.
05:35And analysing his team, they're in a good form.
05:38They're going to be a difficult challenge for us, but one that we're really looking forward to.
05:43Thanks, Gael.
05:43Alex.
05:44Hi, Liam.
05:44Hi.
05:45I'm sure it's all been a bit of a whirlwind for you, but how have you sum up the last 10 days?
05:50Has anything taken you by surprise or is everything exactly as you expected?
05:54Not really.
05:55In terms of the surprise, the biggest surprise is I felt how at home, how welcomed I've been.
06:02Honestly, the staff, everybody involved in the club here at the training ground, at the stadium last night, the players as well.
06:09They've made my life very easy.
06:12They're a great group to walk into.
06:13I think a lot of the messages I've given to the players they've taken on board, it's a disappointing result.
06:19I'm disappointed to lose the goals in the manner we did, but a lot of really, really encouraging signs as well.
06:24And I just want to keep that going.
06:25So, overall, the surprises, there haven't really been any surprises.
06:29The Chelsea fans were singing your name as well last night.
06:32How important is that relationship to you?
06:34I think it's two-way.
06:36For them to sing my name, they need to enjoy what they see on the pitch.
06:39They need to see us attack games.
06:42They need to see us run.
06:43But most importantly, they need to see us get results.
06:44So, in order for that to continue, we need to perform on the pitch.
06:49And that's what my focus is on.
06:51And hopefully, I can develop a really, really good relationship with them.
06:54Not for what I say here, but for what they see on the pitch.
06:57You've just said that they're a great team.
07:00In your opinion, on what you've seen of them this season, what makes them dangerous?
07:04I think what makes them dangerous, they're a proper team in every phase of the game.
07:08All 11 players are willing to defend.
07:10Again, a very good team on set plays, whether that's from long throws, wide free kicks or corners.
07:17They're a team with no ego, which in the most positive terms, I can say that.
07:22They work really hard for each other.
07:23They're very well organised, as every team in the Premier League is.
07:26So, we know the challenge.
07:27We know we have to be at a really, really good level on Saturday.
07:31And, yeah, we're going to prepare the game as we always do in the best possible way.
07:35Good luck on that team.
07:37Thanks, Alex.
07:37John?
07:37I'm sure you're aware the home form hasn't been great this season.
07:42Three defeats, three draws in the league.
07:44The habit of throwing away leads as well, and especially at home.
07:48To me, it's a big question.
07:49But how do you go about trying to improve that?
07:52Can it be psychological with the players at home?
07:56I think the past is the past.
07:58I said that to the players when I first came in.
08:01I can only affect the now.
08:03If I affect the now, I affect the future.
08:05So, for me, I'm not focused on anything that's happened in the past.
08:08I want us to be front-footed.
08:09I want us to be high-tempo, especially in the beginning of the game, and take the game to the opposition.
08:14So, they know it's a difficult game to come to Stamford Bridge.
08:17And, actually, I want to play so we get the crowd on our side.
08:21They're all things that we'll talk about in the next couple of days.
08:23But the most important thing is that we do the basics really, really well.
08:27You know, we win, again, I keep going back to the basics, win duels, defend set plays well.
08:32That's something we have to improve.
08:34Even from last night, all three goals.
08:37One's from a corner, one's from a throw-in, one's from a free kick.
08:41We need to switch on a little bit more in those moments.
08:43And if we do, with the talent we have and with the players we have and the team,
08:47we have a good chance of winning the game.
08:48There's also, I'm sure you know, a demonstration plan at Stamford Bridge before the game.
08:53So, how difficult an environment is this to walk into,
08:56where clearly there's a section of fans who are not very happy on the game?
09:00Like I said, all I can focus on is my job.
09:03My job is focused on the pitch.
09:07I understand fans, all fans, they pay money, they love their club,
09:10they want the best for the club.
09:12What's best for the club is that we win games of football on the pitch.
09:15So, the more we do that, the less chances we have of demonstrations.
09:18Like I said in the beginning, I'm here to try and help this club win trophies
09:21in a short and long time.
09:23And that's what my focus is on, is winning the next game and making people go,
09:26I'm happy.
09:27You've also said you have to share the fact that meaningful progress,
09:30which I also presume will take time, especially when you've got so many games,
09:34back-to-back.
09:35So, do you also have to ask them maybe for a bit of patience?
09:38I think every manager would love patience.
09:41If that's a reality, that's not down to me.
09:44For me, I just want us to focus on the now.
09:47Like I keep saying, we have to be the best team we can be in this moment.
09:51And I have to go after certain things because I don't have training time.
09:55The team are recovering today.
09:56I have probably half an hour in terms of the physical load tomorrow
10:00to work on things and patterns in training.
10:02But there are other things I can go after in terms of what we look like,
10:06what we stand for as a group.
10:07And with the players I have here, I think we can make meaningful progress,
10:12as you say, in a short space of time.
10:13That's tough, isn't it?
10:14Because the fans want to see it now.
10:16But as you say, you haven't got time to.
10:19Manager's job is tough.
10:20Privileged.
10:21I'm lucky to do this job.
10:22I'm lucky and fortunate to be manager of this football club.
10:27I always knew it was going to be a difficult job.
10:29But it's a job that I'm enjoying and relishing
10:31and hopefully I can be successful in.
10:33Just one more.
10:33We're in January.
10:34Transfer windows open.
10:35Do you think you need to bring players in this month?
10:38I think if we do, it needs to be the right player.
10:41We need to be patient.
10:43I want to assess this group.
10:45It's really, really important to me.
10:47I like to give the players I work with a chance to show good surprises.
10:51We still have time.
10:52We have, obviously, conversations every day, myself and the board,
10:56about potential transfers, both out and in.
10:59But at the same time, I need to focus on the players in the building.
11:02And if I feel it's the right time or the right player,
11:05then we'll make that decision.
11:07Simon?
11:09Speaking of players that may be on the way out,
11:12is Tyreek George part of your friends
11:14or do you think you're a result of this one?
11:17The honest answer is I don't know.
11:19Tyreek is a player of immense potential
11:21who I've been aware of for a long time.
11:24He's been unfortunate the first game against Charlton.
11:27He travelled with the group.
11:28He wasn't in the group.
11:29Yesterday, he was on the bench.
11:32I've said this to the players.
11:35Your background, whether you're an academy player,
11:37whether you've been signed for £100 billion,
11:39it's about what you do in training.
11:41And I have to say his attitude to training
11:43and what I've seen his attitude in the group has been top class.
11:46So who's to know?
11:47A lot of things have to come together.
11:49For a player to leave you,
11:50you need the right interest.
11:51You need the right offer.
11:53It needs to be right for the player.
11:55At that moment, I've heard nothing in terms of Tyreek,
11:57in terms of that,
11:57and I continue to work with him in the group.
12:00And is there an update on Romeo Latvia
12:02and what do you think you might be able to play?
12:06Yeah, Romeo's on pitch.
12:08He's not with the group.
12:10But seeing him out on the pitch,
12:11doing his rehab,
12:12he's looking really, really good.
12:13I think we all know,
12:15I know,
12:16I love him.
12:17Firstly, as a lad,
12:17as a player,
12:19he's someone that I would love to work with in the long term
12:22because he's just an outstanding footballer.
12:25The most important thing for him now
12:27is to make sure
12:28we don't push him too hard
12:30so that when he does come back,
12:32he's back for good.
12:33And I can get some real work into him tactically.
12:35But for me,
12:36he's a player that I can't wait to have back in the group
12:38at the same time.
12:39And I'm really, really looking forward
12:41to having him back with us.
12:42No time frame.
12:44The time frame that has to be,
12:46that is right in terms of him coming back
12:48and being back for good.
12:49Rob?
12:51Josh actually did what I thought
12:53in the first half last night,
12:54particularly in possession
12:55when you were going forward.
12:58How do you see him being used
13:00the rest of this season
13:01to connect with him
13:01considering he's got Rhys James
13:03in front of him
13:05because he's going to be playing regular football?
13:07Yeah, I think the beautiful thing
13:09with Josh is that he can play
13:10probably five different positions.
13:13He can play on the left.
13:14He can play centre-back.
13:15He can play right centre-back.
13:17He can play midfield.
13:18He can play on the wing.
13:19That's a great thing to have
13:20for a player of his age
13:22and his temperament.
13:23I've been so impressed with him
13:24so far in the last two games
13:26and in training.
13:27He's a very level-headed kid
13:28with a lot of humility,
13:29which is a great sign.
13:31And yeah, I'm going to keep pushing him.
13:32I'm going to keep demanding
13:33different things from him
13:34because he has a really,
13:35really bright future.
13:36Do you personally
13:38place much responsibility
13:39on more senior players
13:41in the squad
13:41helping the development
13:43of younger guys?
13:44Do you play to that position
13:45or would you just rather
13:47focus on their own game?
13:49No, I think
13:50when I was a player,
13:52the most important
13:54conversations I had
13:56were with senior players.
13:57I didn't listen as much
13:58to my coaches
13:59as I hope my players do
14:01to me when I was a player.
14:02Yeah, I want that interaction
14:05between the group.
14:06You know, whether it's
14:07Josh speaking to Rhys James,
14:09that is an unbelievable
14:09conversation with the experiences
14:11that Rhys has had.
14:12I want to encourage
14:13that interaction
14:14between the group.
14:15But I also want the players
14:16to feel confident enough
14:17in their own game
14:18and in their own abilities
14:19to do that.
14:20Thanks, Rob.
14:21Okay, thanks, guys.
14:22Camera's off, please.
14:23Okay, thanks.
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