Chelsea identify source of lineup leaks as pressure mounts on Liam Rosenior

Liam Rosenior confirmed an internal investigation into the “mole” has concluded, revealing the information was shared without malicious intent before the club’s record-breaking European exit

The internal turmoil that shadowed Chelsea’s recent Champions League campaign has reached a resolution, with head coach Liam Rosenior confirming that the individual responsible for leaking team news has been identified.

For both legs of the Round of 16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain, the Blues’ starting XI appeared across French media outlets hours before kick-off, including the notable news of Wesley Fofana’s exclusion from the second-leg lineup.

Rosenior, when speaking before last Saturday’s Premier League visit to Everton, revealed that while the source was tracked down, the breach was not born of a desire to sabotage the squad.

“We know [who it was],” Rosenior confirmed during his Thursday press conference. “It’s not come from any place of malicious intent to me or the team. We’ve dealt with the situation.”

While the Chelsea coach declined to publicly name the individual, he emphasised that the matter had been handled internally.

Record hammering by PSG leaves Chelsea facing historic European fallout

After a 5-2 loss in the opening leg at the Parc des Princes, the Blues returned to Stamford Bridge needing a miracle, only to implode in the opening 15 minutes.

Goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola effectively ended the contest before the half-hour mark, with Senny Mayulu adding a third in the second half to seal a 3-0 win for the visitors on the night.

The 8-2 aggregate scoreline marks the first time Chelsea has conceded eight goals in a knockout tie, a result that ultimately booked PSG a quarter-final clash with Liverpool.

Premier League thrashing adds to Rosenior pressure

The disappointment and doubt cast by the Champions League exit was then compounded with Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Chelsea now sit sixth in the Premier League table with 48 points, trailing fifth-placed Liverpool by a point in the race for what is expected to be the final Champions League qualifying spot.

The pressure is now mounting on Rosenior following the defeat to David Moyes’ Everton, who are now just two points behind Chelsea.