Chelsea's search for Liam Rosenior's successor has moved toward Xavi, with reports suggesting he is open to the job. The bigger issue is what he would inherit. Chelsea have lost their last five Premier League matches, are listed as LLLLL, and the most recent defeat cited was a 3-1 home loss to Nottingham Forest. They are also 9th in the league on 48 points from 35 matches.

Why Xavi is in the frame

Xavi's own words explain why the link does not feel far-fetched. Speaking to metro.co.uk, the former Barcelona manager said: "Who doesn't like the Premier League? The football atmosphere, the packed stadiums and the people who play in the Premier League say it's extraordinary." He added that if he had to choose, he would choose "a big team, Manchester City or Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal or Tottenham."

That is not the same as a deal being done. The brief is clear that Chelsea have reportedly approached him and that he is open to the job, not that an appointment has been made. That distinction matters, because the club are still looking for Rosenior's replacement after a reign that lasted 107 days.

What the next manager walks into

The football side is ugly enough on its own. Chelsea's form line is five straight league defeats with no goals in that run, and Calum McFarlane did not hide from the performance after the 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest. He told metro.co.uk: "Really disappointed with the performance, disappointed with the result."

That is the job in front of whoever takes over. The next manager is not inheriting a tidy mid-season tweak, but a rebuild from 9th place with only 48 points on the board. Enzo Maresca's name will still hang over the discussion in the background, but the practical question is whether the next coach can stabilise a side that has already lost five league games in a row.

There is, though, a financial cushion. Chelsea's Club World Cup win over Paris Saint-Germain brought in £85 million in prize money, and the breakdown cited in the brief shows how quickly that pot built up through the tournament. If any of it is still available, it gives the next manager room to shape the rebuild rather than just manage the damage.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →