Liam Rosenior news conference: Chelsea manager Rosenior previews Saturday's game against Burnley

Goodbye

And that is all from us for today.

If you're just joining us, we've just been hearing from Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior, who said "any player or coach found guilty of racism shouldn't be in the game" following the incident of alleged racist abuse targeted at Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior in the Champions League game at Benfica this week.

Earlier, Liverpool's Arne Slot spoke to the media.

You can find all of that, plus reaction to Arsenal's draw with Wolves, back down this page.

We'll be back with you tomorrow when we catch up with the rest of the Premier League bosses before a fresh round of Premier League fixtures this weekend.

Bye for now!

'Delap's hard work helps us win football matches'

Chelsea v Burnley (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

Chelsea

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has been speaking about his attacking options, including Liam Delap's form and whether his hard work for the team makes up for a recent lack of goals:

"That's the first thing I look for in my strikers. I look for people who contribute to the team winning games of football, and Liam certainly did that against Hull. And he's done that in other games as well.

"All striker wants to score goals, that's why they play the game, that's what they love to do. You need 11 attackers and 11 defenders at all times. Liam defends from the front amazingly well, and so does Joao [Pedro]. They've contributed to what has been a good record for us recently, and it has to continue."

'I told the players to go and enjoy the sun'

Chelsea v Burnley (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

Chelsea

On the decision to allow the players to take some time off following last weekend's FA Cup win over Hull City, Liam Rosenior said:

"I looked at the player's schedule for the last 18 months to two years, and we've spoken about injuries and trying to maximise the availability of the group. I actually encouraged the players to go and get some sun.

"They have been at it non-stop for 18 months, sometimes the best way to rejuvenate yourself, the best way to be fit and fresh, is to switch off and take time. So that was my idea.

"I know people will maybe question it if we don't win games after that, but in the moment I feel it was the right thing for the players considering the workload they've had."

On if he's seen a good reaction after their time off: "Yeah, I think they want more days off, so training has been good for the last two days.

"Regardless of that, since I've been in their level of engagement, intensity in training and what they're giving me has been consistently excellent, and it needs to continue that way for us to be successful."

Chelsea enjoy rare reset and eight-day break after 'relentless run'

Nizaar Kinsella

BBC Sport Chelsea reporter

After a relentless run of midweek fixtures since the September international break, Chelsea have finally had eight days to prepare for a game - with players given permission to take short overseas holidays.

Cole Palmer, Wesley Fofana, Joao Pedro, Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella all travelled to Dubai, while Alejandro Garnacho chose Egypt for some winter sun.

Allowing the squad time away appears an obvious decision, given most of them played in the Club World Cup and had only 35 days between seasons - the shortest break ever recorded for Chelsea.

It will be interesting to see how the team look after this reset, and how Liam Rosenior - who has experienced a whirlwind start since arriving in early January - has used the time.

'Everyone can beat everyone in this league'

Chelsea v Burnley (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

Chelsea

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior on the competitive nature of the Premier League after rock-bottom Wolves drew with table-toppers Arsenal last night:

"I don't think it's complacency. I thought Wolves were outstanding yesterday. I watched the game. This is such a strong league now. Every team can beat everyone. That's why the league is so close in terms of points between so many teams.

"What we have to do is focus on our own performance. We have to make sure we prepare ourselves right, but the way I like to do it is to be consistent in our process, whether we're playing Wolves, whether we're playing Burnley tomorrow, Manchester City, Arsenal, our process is the same, and it has to be that way to be consistent in your performance."

'I don't take into consideration when rivals play'

Chelsea v Burnley (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

Chelsea

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior was then asked about the race for Champions League football, and whether it's beneficial for his side to play before their rivals with fourth-place Manchester United and sixth-place Liverpool playing on Monday and Sunday respectively.

"It's February. It's plenty of time. I swear I've not even considered what time we're playing," he says.

"We need to win our game, it's as simple as that. We need to do our job.

"It's not going to be simple. Burnley went away to Crystal Palace and won. You've watched Wolves yesterday and their performance, we have to take care of our business regardless of what time we play."

Cucurella out but James and Palmer 'fully fit'

Chelsea v Burnley (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

Chelsea

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior gave an update on full-back Marc Cucurella's fitness ahead of the weekend:

"I can't give an exact timeframe on Marc. He suffered a hamstring injury. He suffered it before half-time in the Leeds game, so for me that's a real shame because he's an outstanding player. He's one of the best left-backs in the world.

"But we have Jorrel [Hato], we have Malo [Gusto] who can play on that side. We've got really good players that could cover. The sooner he gets back, the better."

On managing Reece James and Cole Palmer's fitness: "At the moment, they're both fully fit. Theyre both available for selection. They both trained really, really well today, and with those two players in your team, it makes you a really, really strong team."

'Anyone found guilty of racism shouldn't be in the game'

Chelsea v Burnley (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

Chelsea

Here's that strong response from Liam Rosenior when asked about the incident of alleged racist abuse targeted at Vinicus Junior in the Champions League game between Real Madrid and Benfica:

"If any player or any coach is ever found guilty of racism, they shouldn't be in the game. It's as simple as that.”

Asked about Jose Mourinho's post-match comments suggesting Vinicius incited the crowd with his goal celebration, Rosenior adds:

"Regardless of how a player celebrates, race should never come into it.

"I don't know the context of the situation in which Jose [Mourinho] said what he said, so I won't make a judgement on it. I won't make judgement until I get the facts.

"If any player or coach is ever found guilty of racism, they shouldn't be in the game."

'People should be held a lot more accountable'

Chelsea v Burnley (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

Chelsea

More from Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior on racism in society:

"There's a lot of division. There's a lot of people in the media who make prejudgements on people or how they behave or who they are based on their sexual orientation, what country they come from, what religion they are, what colour of skin they have.

"I think it's a wider debate than just football. I think people should be held a lot more accountable than they are at the moment, in terms of social media, in terms of the press, to make sure that these things are stamped out because everybody should be judged equally based on the content of their character."

'A lot of things need to change in society'

Chelsea v Burnley (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

Chelsea

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior speaking about the incident of alleged racism aimed at Vinicius Junior by a Benfica player in the Champions League game on Tuesday night:

"It's upsetting. Always, there needs to be context to it. What I will say, you can see any form of racism in society, not just football, is unacceptable. I cannot speak about an incident where an investigation is ongoing. I won't speak about that incident. What I would say is when you see a player upset how Vinicius Jr was upset, normally they're upset for a reason.

"I have been racially abused myself. I know people that have and what people need to understand is, when you are judged for something you should be proud of, it is the worst thing. If any player, any coach or any manager is found guilty of racism, they shouldn't be in the game. It's as simple as that."

On what needs to change: "A lot of things, this is a very complex situation when you speak about race or gender. There are a lot of things that need to change in society.

"It sickens me to be honest. I think there's a wider debate than football. I think there needs to be more accountability for these things that need to be stamped out."

'Those found guilty of racial abuse shouldn't be in football'

Chelsea v Burnley (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

Here is Liam Rosenior now.

The first topic he is asked about is the incident of alleged racial abuse targeted at Real Madrid's Vinicus Junior in the Champions League this week - and he has given a strong response.

Rosenior says any individual found guilty of racial abuse "shouldn't be in the game".

Speaking on his own experiences, he adds: "When you are judged for something you are proud of, it's the worst thing you can imagine."

While the Chelsea boss did not want to comment in detail while the incident is investigated, he says: "When you see a player upset how Vinicus Junior was upset, usually that is for a reason."

Full quotes to come.

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