John Terry makes Chelsea transfer demand after Liam Rosenior appointment

John Terry has urged the Chelsea board to give Liam Rosenior their immediate backing by releasing the funds needed to strengthen the squad in the January transfer window.

Rosenior was officially unveiled as Chelsea’s new head coach on Tuesday in the wake of Enzo Maresca’s dramatic New Year’s Day departure at Stamford Bridge.

The 41-year-old, formerly the manager of BlueCo-owner Strasbourg, has put pen to paper on a five-and-a-half year contract, tying him to the Blues until 2032.

However, Under-21 boss Calum McFarlane will remain in charge for Chelsea’s clash with neighbours Fulham this evening, having led the side to a 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the weekend.

While Maresca had ample credit in the bank after steering Chelsea to Europa Conference and Club World Cup glory, the Italian decided to call time on his 18-month tenure following a power struggle behind the scenes.

Results had dipped over the busy festive period, though, with the club winning just two of their last ten matches in all competitions.

But victory at Craven Cottage could see Chelsea move into the top four before Rosenior even takes over the reins from McFarlane – and former captain Terry appears optimistic for the future.

‘I’d just like to wish him all the very best and, more importantly, let’s hope we can get some success and some trophies back to Stamford Bridge,’ Terry told his followers on TikTok.

‘And also, get a bit of stability at the club in the coming years. Hopefully he enables us to do that.

‘But I’d like to wish him and his staff all the very best. You have an opportunity as a manager to come in the building… players, everyone is going to be looking no doubt from a football perspective, all about results.

‘But from a player perspective, you get an opportunity to gain the respect of the players in those first meetings, in those first training sessions as well and he’s had a lot of experience with that as well so hopefully he manages to get that from the players.’

Terry believes the objective is simple for Rosenior at the start of his reign – get Chelsea winning matches again, irrespective of performance.

‘With the big fixture list that we have, he’s not going to get much time to work on the training pitch with the players and implement his style or his tactics, how he wants to play, in a short space of time,’ the ex-England defender added.

‘Like I said, the most important thing in the coming weeks is results and hopefully we can get that.’

Terry feels further investment is required before the January transfer deadline, despite Chelsea splashing out in the region of £285million on new recruits last summer.

Turning his attentions to the potential incomings at Stamford Bridge, Terry went on: ‘Hopefully the board and the owners are going to back him and give him money to go in the transfer market and bring some players in.

‘Hopefully things will settle down now and we can concentrate on the football.

‘Listen, like all Chelsea fans, whoever the manager is and has been over the years as well, Chelsea fans will always get behind their manager and we’ll look to do that on Wednesday.’

In his opening statement as Chelsea head coach, an ‘excited’ Rosenior said it was his goal to make supporters ‘proud’ of the team and what they represent.

‘I am extremely humbled and honoured to be appointed head coach of Chelsea Football Club. This is a club with a unique spirit and a proud history of winning trophies,’ he told the club’s official website.

‘My job is to protect that identity and create a team that reflects these values in every game we play as we continue winning trophies.

‘To be entrusted with this role means the world to me and I want to thank all involved for the opportunity and faith in undertaking this job. I will give everything to bring the success this club deserves.

‘I am excited to work with this extremely talented group of players and staff, to build strong connections on and off the pitch, and to create an environment where everyone feels united and driven by the same goal.

‘I want our fans to be proud of who we are and what we represent in every single game that we play. They are the soul of this enormous, historic and huge football club.

‘I cannot wait to meet you all. I cannot wait to get started.’

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