Andrey Santos gives brutally honest verdict on Chelsea form and makes Man Utd promise

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Andrey Santos has described Chelsea's recent run of form as a 'difficult moment'

Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos has admitted the squad is frustrated just as much as the fans by the recent run of results.

The Blues have lost five of their last six games in all competitions, with Liam Rosenior's side well beaten by Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The west Londoners collapsed inside a 17-minute spell in the second half, shipping three goals to lose for the fourth time in five Premier League games.

It leaves Rosenior’s side trailing Liverpool by four points in the race for the fifth and final Champions League place, but it was the familiar frailties exposed by the defeat to stronger, more clinical opposition that were cause for greatest concern.

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“Every single game in the Premier League is hard and Manchester City are a top team with top players,” said Santos. “At 0-0 we were doing well and it was frustrating to concede the first goal.”

Stamford Bridge steadily emptied following City’s third goal, with only around half the stadium still occupied by the final whistle. Those who remained vented their unhappiness by booing the team off whilst there were also shouts of discontent aimed at the manager.

“We understand the fans are frustrated,” said Santos. “We are frustrated too. When you talk about Chelsea, you talk about winning games, which we’re not doing. It’s a difficult moment but we have to work hard and keep going.”

Chelsea have now won just once in their last seven in the league and were dumped out of the Champions League 8-2 on aggregate by Paris St Germain in March. The early promise that accompanied Rosenior’s first month in charge has evaporated, leaving in its place the same old doubts over the mental fortitude of this young squad and the club’s general direction under the current ownership.

The club faces a hugely significant period in the BlueCo era over the coming weeks. Failure to finish in the top five would be a damaging step backwards after returning to Europe’s top competition for first time in three years this season.

Until now, the ownership has been able to point towards tangible progress each season with league finishes of 12th, sixth and fourth since taking control in 2022, as well as winning the Conference League and Club World Cup last season.

They host Manchester United on Saturday knowing that another loss – together with victory for Liverpool in the Merseyside derby the following day – could see them all but eliminated from contention for the top five. After that come a trip to Brighton and a home game against Nottingham Forest, with Rosenior’s side desperately needing to keep the Reds in reach before their potentially pivotal meeting at Anfield on May 9.

“Of course we believe we can finish in a Champions League place,” said Santos. “That’s why we work hard every day, to be in the top and to be in the Champions League next season. Now we have to work harder during the week to come back from this and to win the next game.”