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Chelsea take on Manchester United at Stamford Bridge this weekend in what could be a season-defining fixture for Liam Rosenior and the Blues
Trying to turn Chelsea's form around is not going to be easy work for Liam Rosenior. The Blues head coach has seen his side lose five of their last six matches in all competitions, with Sunday evening's 3-0 defeat to Manchester City the latest in a flurry of humbling losses.
Asked how challenging it will be to transform Chelsea's form, Rosenior replied: "It is, but we have to keep working. We have to keep trying to improve.
"I have to get the team selection right on the balance of our attack and play, but also defending better in certain moments and that's what we'll focus on."
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This weekend, Michael Carrick's Manchester United come to Stamford Bridge in a potentially season-defining match for Chelsea. The Blues are now four points below Liverpool, who occupy the last of the Champions League places, and they cannot afford to lose any more ground on their rivals in the run-in.
United have been much improved under interim boss Carrick, though they have recorded just one win from their last four matches. Either way, the Red Devils will pose a big threat to the out-of-form Chelsea on Saturday night.
Rosenior, by his own admission, needs to find the right balance in his side. And, with that being said, Bobby Vincent takes a look at how the Chelsea head coach should line his side up in west London:
Robert Sanchez
There's no question that Sanchez's form is not what it was in the first half of the season. As it stands, though, there is no question the Spaniard is Chelsea's best goalkeeper.
Malo Gusto
We will hear more from Rosenior about Reece James' return from injury later in the week but let's assume he is not going to be fit for the Man United match. If that is the case, then Gusto should start on the right-hand side of the defence.
The Frenchman has had his moments this season but has lacked consistency. Gusto needs to put in a big performance on Saturday night - as do the rest of the defenders.
Wesley Fofana
Fofana improved on Sunday. The Frenchman made some crucial headers and for the most part, he dealt with the dangerous Erling Haaland quite well.
Chelsea supporters will be desperate to see an even better display when Man United come to town. The Blues want to sign another central defender in the summer transfer window, but for right now, Fofana is one of the club's best options at centre-back.
Jorrel Hato
The Netherlands international was one of the few bright sparks for Chelsea in Sunday's defeat to Man City. Hato acquitted himself very well in difficult circumstances, playing in a position he has not been used in too much since moving to Stamford Bridge last summer.
With Trevoh Chalobah still missing because of injury, Hato should keep his place in the defence. Against United's dangerous attacking line, Hato could be in for a busy evening, if selected.
Marc Cucurella
We've not seen the usual level of Cucurella in recent weeks. It is hard to put a finger on exactly why but his form has undoubtedly dipped recently.
Either way, the Spain international should start at left-back on Saturday evening. He may well be up against the dangerous Amad Diallo in what could be an entertaining one-v-one battle - the type Cucurella tends to relish.
Romeo Lavia
Rosenior spoke about wanting to ensure his side is balanced when it comes to his team selection. Some of the most 'balanced' displays I have seen from Chelsea in recent times have come when Lavia is in the centre of midfield.
It usually allows Moises Caicedo more of a box-to-box license while Lavia anchors and protects the defence. This could be crucial against a United side that is very strong when it comes to transitions.
Moises Caicedo
Has anyone seen Moises Caicedo? The imperious midfielder has gone missing in recent weeks. His slump in form is a real concern for Chelsea, who play their best football when Caicedo is running around and putting out fires in the middle of the pitch.
This feels like the type of game where Caicedo could ease everyone's worries with a Caicedo-like performance. Let's hope that is the case because Chelsea really need that.
Cole Palmer
See above. Palmer needs to find something. Chelsea desperately need him to. All the talk over the last few months has been about the 23-year-old being 'unsettled' at Stamford Bridge and that has fuelled speculation of a move to Man United.
Chelsea need their talisman more than ever to produce what everyone knows he is capable of against his boyhood club. Hopefully that is something that fuels him.
Enzo Fernandez
It will be interesting to see if Rosenior calls upon Fernandez immediately after his in-house ban concluded. It will be equally interesting to see what sort of reception he gets from the Stamford Bridge faithful.
There is no doubting Fernandez's importance to the side. The defeat against Man City was not solely down to the Argentine's absence but it definitely felt like they could have done with more control in possession, especially in the second half.
Estevao Willian
We don't usually see Estevao on the left wing, although we have in some games where Rosenior has switched his wide men, but this might be the play against Man United. Pedro Neto is a workhorse and will provide something that Estevao does not when out of possession.
However, Estevao provides the magic Neto often lacks in the attacking third. This Chelsea side have not scored in their last three Premier League fixtures and they need that magic now more than ever.
Joao Pedro
No question about this one. Joao Pedro will start, most likely as the No.9. Liam Delap has offered very little this season and Rosenior has put immense trust in Joao Pedro since being appointed.
The Brazilian actually scored Chelsea's last goal in the league, when he completed his hat-trick in the 4-1 win at Aston Villa on March 4.
Bobby's line-up: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Hato, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia; Palmer, Fernandez, Estevao; Joao Pedro
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