SOCCER: After PSG mauling, Chelsea face another scramble to salvage their season

LONDON – Chelsea’s Champions League campaign ended in disappointment on Tuesday following a crushing 8-2 aggregate defeat by Paris St Germain, leaving the London club and its U.S. owners scrambling to salvage what remains of a turbulent season.

The BlueCo consortium, which took over the club in 2022, had promised to end the revolving door of managers that characterized the Roman Abramovich era. Now, they face the decision of whether to continue backing 41-year-old Liam Rosenior, who was appointed in January after Italian coach Enzo Maresca was dismissed.

Maresca, despite winning the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup, lasted only 18 months before citing a lack of support. He followed a line of high-profile departures, including Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, and Mauricio Pochettino.

Rosenior’s immediate task is clear: reverse Chelsea’s downward spiral and secure a place in next season’s Champions League – the minimum expectation for a club crowned European champions in 2012 and 2021.

After a promising start under Rosenior, Chelsea have collected only five points from their last five Premier League matches, including a 0-1 home defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday. The Blues sit sixth in the table and risk being overtaken by west London rivals Brentford, who are just three points behind, beginning with a crucial visit to Everton this Saturday.

“When you go through a difficult run, you have to make sure your habits are right. We have a really difficult game at Everton and we have to be at our best to get a result there,” Rosenior told TNT Sports following the PSG defeat.

With European glory out of reach, Chelsea’s only remaining shot at silverware is the FA Cup. A home match against struggling third-tier side Port Vale presents the chance for a place in the semi-finals, offering fans a possible moment of celebration at Wembley.

Frustration among supporters has been palpable. Fans booed at halftime, at the final whistle, and at each of Rosenior’s substitutions during the PSG defeat. Many remain skeptical of BlueCo’s long-term strategy, particularly the club’s heavy spending on young players under long-term contracts, which some believe has come at the expense of experience and balance in the squad.

As Chelsea look ahead, the pressure is on to restore confidence, deliver results, and meet the high expectations of a club with a storied European history.

-Writing by William Schomberg; Editing by Pritha Sarkar/Reuters