It's the worst I've ever seen it. Things HAVE to change NOW!

Its just not Chelsea anymore. From anyone.

This is as low as I’ve ever been as a Chelsea fan. I seem to be saying that a lot recently, but the Brighton game was a new low. I’ve been a fan since the late 80s, so to say that really means something

I know fans disagree on various issues right now, and even people on this site I know disagree with me on some things, which is totally fair, we all have different perspectives. But for me, honestly, right now its not about who was right or wrong all along, or whether we disagree on certain things, because I think every fan agrees what we’re seeing right now is an utter disgrace.

We can disagree why or about various semantics, but the bottom line is I’m absolutely furious and I think every Chelsea fan will be, and we have an absolute right to be.

What’s happening with the men’s team especially right now is an absolute disgrace from top to bottom, and I think everyone agrees on that.

Bad recruitment, bad decisions, bad appointments, a lack of accountability, disconnect with the fans. It’s all horrible.

Liam Rosenior has gone, but that’s not enough. He was a symptom of the problems, not the deeper problem itself. There needs to be wider change.

For starters, the Sporting Directors, Paul Winstanley & Laurence Stewart, need to go. They built this mess of a squad, and its their mentality of never taking responsibility which has seeped down into it. After three and a half years in their roles, we have one Champions League qualification out of their three full seasons, and two relatively minor trophies despite spending £1.6 billion, coupled with this season’s disaster, there have to be consequences. They cannot be in charge of the appointment of the next head coach or this summer’s recruitment.

Liam Rosenior should never have been offered the Chelsea job. It was way too early in his career, he wasn’t ready, and was out of depth. He may be a talented coach, and I feel a degree of sympathy with the fact he came into the job in a tough situation.

However I have to say, he was was arguably the worst Chelsea manager I’ve seen in my lifetime, certainly for 35 years. The ownership too, absolutely need to own up to their part in this and make radical changes in terms of strategy, recruitment and structure, it simply cannot go on like this.

The players aren’t innocent here either. I know they’ve played a LOT of football in the last two years, and frankly they’re on fumes right now, mentally and physically. But that’s no excuse for recent performances, where they seem to have just downed tools and given up. There’s been total lack of effort, a lack of pride, no fight, no spirit, no work ethic. That’s totally unacceptable.

Every single of one of those players should be ashamed of themselves. Even if they’re totally fatigued and worn out, even if the coach isn’t great, even if they want to leave or don’t like the ownership, players should still be professional and make an effort. This is an absolute non negotiable for me, at all times.

Players should still fight for the shirt. They should still put in 100% every minute of every game, and show some pride in the shirt, and just as professional footballers. I’ve not seen that for a while, and all I hear from players in interviews is pathetic excuses and trying to pass the buck, as if they’re innocent victims in all this. No, they’re not, they’re part of it, and this attitude is in part a result of this toxic culture which has been created by the people above them.

Everyone involved in the men’s side is culpable here. Ownership, sporting directors, coaching staff and players. Its an absolute disgrace to the badge. So many fans feel completely disconnected, many long term ones too. My dad’s been a fan since the 1950’s, even he feels disconnected right now. When that kind of thing is happening, its a huge red flag.

I’ll be honest, although I rate a fair amount of players in our current squad, the only players I feel a real connection to right now are Reece James, Levi Colwill, and maybe Moises Caicedo. They get what Chelsea means, they understand the responsibility, respect the fans and almost always give their all (when fit). Estevao and Jarrol Hato haven’t yet been corrupted by the toxic culture and have generally shown up when its been tough in recent games.

I’d quite happily see half this squad sold, if I’m honest. Instead of whining and agitating to leave, maybe some of them should look at themselves and their recent performances. Because big clubs watching them won’t be impressed with their attitude to dealing with conflict, or their performance levels.

I’d genuinely rather have a squad who all fight for the shirt and care about the club, and want to be here, finishing 6th every year and winning some cups, than have a bunch of players who think they’re better than they actually are, and are ready to leave at the first sign of trouble.

We had a good season last year, top 4 and two trophies, and some want to leave after one really poor season, which they have been a part of? Nah, that’s not it for me. They can go, absolutely spineless.

Truth is everyone involved needs to take a long hard look in the mirror. No one is exempt. Because what I’m seeing, isn’t Chelsea Football Club. The lack of fight, the excuses, hiring poor unproven managers, having people running the football side who aren’t best in class, a lack of understanding of what this club means, disrespecting fans, its all horrible.

Then there’s the amount we’ve spent. Chelsea’s net spend is £850m under this ownership (£1.6b overall), but even for that money, to have this run of results and be 7th in the Premier League over three years in, is simply unacceptable. The Sporting Directors positions are, to me, simply untenable.

It truly was a dark day for the club against Brighton, because it wasn’t Chelsea anymore, from anyone representing our club.

The away fans, again, huge respect to them, travelling down midweek, showing up to watch that crap. Then staying to the end, and letting the players and club know how they feel. They do us proud, they keep going and cheering us on even when its awful.

Suffice to say, as we all know, big changes are needed. Sporting directors, head coach, squad, and a big cultural reset too. There’s simply not a choice here, that has to happen. I think a public apology from all concerned is in order too. Admit they got it wildly wrong, commit to change and then actually do it.

Do I think this will happen? No idea to be honest. But it certainly cannot go on like this any more, this isn’t Chelsea.

As fans said last night, we want our Chelsea back.

The Score