Chelsea: Liam Rosenior on transfer plans, squad experience and Champions League qualification importance

Liam Rosenior has hinted there could be a shift in Chelsea's transfer strategy this summer - but insists his priority right now is to deliver a successful end to the season.

The Chelsea head coach will lead his side out against Newcastle on Saturday Night Football at Stamford Bridge, live on Sky Sports, in a big game for the Blues' top-five prospects.

It comes after a late collapse against Paris St-Germain damaged their Champions League prospects, with Chelsea beaten 5-2 in the first leg of their last-16 tie in France.

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That defeat brought more questions about the experience and temperament of the Chelsea squad, which has also seen a high number of red cards and squandered strong positions on the pitch this season.

Chelsea have focused their recruitment on young players over the past four seasons and their average age of their line-ups at 23.5 is the youngest in the top flight.

Asked whether he would like to sign senior players this summer to give his developing group an instant impact, Rosenior said: "We're growing experience here and, in the summer, you'll see.

"You'll see in the summer.

"Right now, we have those conversations but my job is to make sure we finish the season as strong as possible. To talk about transfer business and dealings in March is not a bright thing to do.

"The idea is to win. That's something myself and the sporting directors and the ownership are all aligned [on]."

Rosenior says the age of his players shouldn't be confused for the experience they have built up and believes - with Chelsea in fifth, in the FA Cup quarter-finals and with a second leg against PSG to come - their position shouldn't be undervalued.

"You need a balance all the time," he said to Roman Kemp on Premier League Friday. "We talk about age but age sometimes is not levelled with experience. Andrey Santos is 21 but he's already played for Brazil and captained the team. It's not just down to age.

"Even Wednesday night [against PSG], as hard as it was, it was an unbelievable learning experience for the group, for me and if you learn from your experiences you grow and improve.

"We want to win now and will keep working towards that - but I don't think we're as far away as people think."

Rosenior says there have already been discussions about summer transfer targets but underlined the importance of finishing in the Champions League qualifying places in the Premier League.

"It's massive for every club," he said. "Champions League qualification is so important for your stature as a club, for what you want to do in the transfer market to compete at the very highest level. It's what a club of this size should be aiming for at the least.

"We're in a position where we can attack that. Saturday is another game where, if we get the details right and play with intensity, hopefully we can overcome a really good Newcastle team and be closer to those aspirations."

He added: "I'm excited by what's to come without losing sight of the next game."

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