‘Numb' Liam Rosenior rips into ‘unacceptable’ Chelsea players after latest defeat at Brighton – ‘Something has to change drastically’

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Liam Rosenior declared himself "numb and angry" as he criticised an "unacceptable" display from Chelsea in a 3-0 Premier League defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.

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A fifth loss in a row without scoring means Chelsea are now on their worst league run since 1912.

The barren streak has put pressure on head coach Rosenior, who signed a deal until 2032 when he took over in January after Enzo Maresca was sacked.

And Rosenior did not hold back in his assessment of the defeat to Brighton.

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"Nowhere near the levels, not even tactical, tackles, duels, intensity, spirit, energy, passion, all lacking, and that is the reason we lost," he told the BBC.

Chelsea have now lost seven of their last eight games in all competitions, with their only win coming against League One strugglers Port Vale in the FA Cup.

Their hopes of a top-five finish to secure UEFA Champions League qualification for next season are fading fast as they are now seven points behind fifth-placed Liverpool.

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Asked why he thought his side didn't perform to their best against Brighton, Rosenior said: "I have my own ideas. I am not here to make excuses. That was unacceptable from everyone involved with me at the head of it. That needs to change.

"It is accountability. I have defended the players at times when it was the correct thing, but I can't defend that performance. It doesn't represent this football club, it doesn't represent anything I ask from the group, and that has to change.

"I feel numb, I'm so angry. I always speak on what I see and that was unacceptable. The goals we conceded were unacceptable, and that is something I have to hold my hands up to.

"I will look at the team, will look at individuals, and I will look at a team I can trust to do the basics of football, and we should not be talking about the basics of football at this level. It is something we have to adjust very quickly."

Not enough 'spirit, courage'

Missing Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro through injury, Chelsea struggled to offer any attacking threat in the first half.

They improved after the break, but couldn't end their drought in front of goal as Brighton ran out comfortable winners.

"Tonight was not tactical," added Rosenior. "This was about desire, spirit, courage, and I did not see enough of that tonight.

"Nowhere near good enough, and we have to improve that."

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The Chelsea was also critical of his players when speaking to Sky Sports in his post-match interview.

"I keep coming out and defending the players, that was indefensible, that performance tonight," he explained.

"The manner of the goals we conceded, the duels that we lost. Something has to change drastically right here, right now."

"You can speak about a lack of confidence, or results not going our way. That doesn't represent anything that I want to see, and I won't ever see it again.

"The performance in terms of professionalism wasn't there. It was a really difficult night, the most difficult night - not even here at this magnificent football club - but in my career. Some of the things I witnessed today, I don't want to ever see again."

Chelsea next face Leeds United in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

The winner will face either Manchester City or Southampton in the final.

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