New Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has delivered a clear message to his entire squad following a mixed start to his tenure, insisting that no player's position in the team is guaranteed.
No Guaranteed Starters Under New Regime
The warning comes in the wake of a 3-2 defeat at home to Arsenal in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. The loss was partly attributed to two costly errors from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who misjudged a cross for Ben White's opener and spilled a ball for Viktor Gyokeres to score Arsenal's second.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Rosenior was unequivocal about his selection policy. 'It's the same for every position. I'm here to assess every position,' he stated. 'I don't have number ones or number twos, that's not how I work. You have to earn your spot in this team.'
Sanchez Mistakes Under the Microscope
Sanchez's performance against Mikel Arteta's side has placed his role under intense scrutiny. Despite making a world-class save from Mikel Merino later in the match, the two first-half errors proved decisive. Rosenior, however, offered some context for his goalkeeper's display.
'I'm asking Rob to do things he hasn't done before,' the manager explained, seemingly referencing his tactical demands for playing out from the back. 'When my players make mistakes, I'm accountable. He made a save in the second-half that was absolutely world-class. That would have put us out of the tie.'
Rosenior's comments highlight a period of adaptation for the squad. With Filip Jorgensen having played in the 5-1 FA Cup win at Charlton Athletic that began Rosenior's reign, genuine competition exists for the goalkeeping jersey.
A Message for the Whole Squad
The broader implication of Rosenior's words is a challenge to every player at Stamford Bridge. The new boss emphasised that his philosophy is built on performance-based selection across the pitch.
'I have a very good squad so for me, that's the message for all of the players,' he continued. 'I don't have guaranteed number ones or guaranteed number nines. They have to earn their place in the team.'
With a crucial Premier League match against Brentford on the horizon, Rosenior's immediate focus is on improvement. 'I want to win now and I want to improve the team and put my stamp on it,' he affirmed, signalling that every training session and match will be an audition for his players.
