While many might have been shocked last month as Liam Rosenior was announced as Enzo Maresca’s replacement at Chelsea, the 41-year-old has certainly made an immediate impact since arriving at Stamford Bridge.

Reigniting their Champions League ambitions, Chelsea have lost just a pair of their first 11 appearances under the former Strasbourg boss – with both of those defeats coming against Arsenal in this season’s EFL Cup semi-final.

However, with Rosenior expected to be financial backed during the summer transfer window, the one-time Hull City manager could be planning a defensive overhaul in west London.

With England international Levi Colwill still yet to make a single appearance this season after sustaining a long-term knee injury over the summer, 19-year-old Josh Acheampong has been thrust into the limelight over the past few weeks.

With it suggested that a new central defender is at the top of Rosenior’s summer wishlist, Chelsea have reportedly identified their key target.

Rosenior’s immediate impact in west London

Watching Maresca complete what was a messy festive divorce from Stamford Bridge last month, Chelsea had the feel of a club who were desperately searching for some kind of stability across the board.

Although there might have been plenty of raised eyebrows as Rosenior was announced as Maresca’s permanent replacement in SW6, the 41-year-old has certainly improved the mood around west London and few would have expected the immediate impact he would offer.

However, despite signing off their Champions League group stage adventure with a dramatic 3-2 victory away at Italian giants Napoli on January 28th, the Blues have struggled to find any kind of defensive steel.

Suffering a shock late collapse at home against Leeds earlier in the month as they were eventually forced to settle for a 2-2 stalemate at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have registered just a sole Premier League clean sheet since back on December 13th.

Although Rosenior’s men might have extended on their FA Cup charge last week as his new squad stormed their way to a 4-0 romp away at former club and Championship outfit Hull, that is the only clean sheet they have recorded from their previous seven appearances across all competitions.

While the Blues might have reignited their Champions League dreams over the past month, they are missing a talismanic figure at the heart of their defence and this is something Rosenior is eager to address this summer.

Releasing the shackles in west London and offering a far more eye-catching philosophy, Chelsea could be considered a genuine title contender next season if they are able to add a figure to their ranks like Liverpool and Arsenal have done with Virgil van Dijk and Gabriel Magalhães respectively over the past few years.

“I believe the harder you work in life, the luckier you get. I think Pedro Neto summed that up”

Liam Rosenior full of praise for his players efforts tonight 🗣️

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/esboXlPk7N

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 13, 2026

The race for Murillo intensifies

Struggling to find a regulate partner for Trevoh Chalobah since Rosenior’s arrival in west London last month, it is no secret that a new central defender is at the top of Chelsea’s summer agenda.

Looking to bring in an established superstar at the heart of their defence, TEAMtalk reported last weekend that Rosenior already has his dream summer target in mind.

Although Nottingham Forest might find themselves at the heart of a Premier League relegation scrap, their defensive talisman has a string of heavyweight European admirers.

While Murillo might be on the sidelines nursing a recent calf issue, the Brazilian international has enjoyed a sensational rise to superstardom since arriving at the City Ground from Corinthians back in August 2023.

Reportedly joining for a fee of just £15million, the 23-year-old has quickly blossomed into one of the Premier League’s hottest midfield stars and Forest are more than aware they face a real battle to keep hold of their defensive leader this summer.

Alongside reported interest from reigning Premier League champions Liverpool, Rosenior has already given his blessing to Murillo’s potential arrival and believes the one-cap international would be a marque signing.

Brazilian star Murillo is preparing to leave Nottingham Forest this summer, and the level of interest in the Brazilian defender is already “strong and serious”, @TEAMtalk understands.https://t.co/vpZpSOMboF

— Graeme Bailey (@GraemeBailey) February 15, 2026