Former Chelsea captain Gary Cahill has described the club as a 'wounded animal' following their humiliating 3-0 defeat at Brighton, insisting they must win the FA Cup to salvage their season.
Tuesday's loss marked a new low for Liam Rosenior's side, who suffered a fifth straight defeat without scoring for the first time since 1912. The result also saw Brighton leapfrog Chelsea into sixth place, taking control of the battle for European football.
Pressure is mounting on Rosenior ahead of Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Leeds United. Cahill, who won the trophy twice during his time at Stamford Bridge, expressed his concerns.
'Leeds are probably watching this thinking, we've got a wounded animal here, we've got a chance in the semi-final,' Cahill told Sky Sports. 'Chelsea are going into a semi-final against Leeds, no disrespect, with an opportunity to hit a final. They should be licking their lips, ready to go, but this is a bit of a wounded Chelsea squad.'
'Confidence and momentum is a big thing, so going into tomorrow's training, it's not the same vibe when you are on a good run or off the back of a good result. It's going to be a tough few days for the manager and for the squad to galvanise themselves and get fired up for this semi-final.'
'The FA Cup now is, strong word, it's a must to save the season. It needs to be a hell of a lot better.'
Rosenior, who was angrily barracked by the travelling fans, was furious at his team's performance at the Amex Stadium, where Ferdi Kadioglu, Jack Hinshelwood and Danny Welbeck scored.
Asked whether the performance was the worst of his tenure, the former Strasbourg boss said: 'By far. It was unacceptable in every aspect of the game, unacceptable in our attitude.'
'I keep coming out and defending the players. That's indefensible, that performance tonight. The manner of the goals we conceded, the amount of duels that we lost, the lack of intensity in the team. Something needs to change drastically right now.'
'The professionalism wasn't there. It's a really difficult night. The most difficult night not even just here, so far, at this magnificent football club, but in my career. Some of the things I witnessed today, I never want to see again.'
Chelsea are in danger of missing out on European football as they remain seven points adrift of fifth-placed Liverpool, having now played a game more.
'We need to look in the mirror; I need to look in the mirror,' continued Rosenior, who was without attacking trio Cole Palmer, Estevao and Joao Pedro due to injury.
'But I can't keep coming out here and defending some of the things we're seeing. The general attitude, spirit, determination was lacking apart from maybe three or four of the XI. That is nowhere near enough for this club. I can't come out and lie. I'll tell the truth. That was an unacceptable performance in every area.'
