Liam Rosenior’s Promising Start as Chelsea Manager

Liam Rosenior has secured four wins in his first five matches as Chelsea’s manager, marking a significant turnaround for the club. Upon his arrival, Chelsea had managed only one victory in their preceding nine Premier League fixtures, but Rosenior quickly established a winning momentum with consecutive league victories.

In a recent match against Crystal Palace, Chelsea triumphed 3-1, courtesy of goals from Estevao Willian, Joao Pedro, and Enzo Fernandez, propelling them back to fourth place ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Manchester United.

The departure of former head coach Enzo Maresca just four weeks prior, due to disagreements with the club’s hierarchy, came as a shock. Rosenior, who previously managed at sister club Strasbourg, has since managed to stabilize the team during a challenging period.

Rosenior observed Chelsea’s last league defeat, a 2-1 loss to Fulham, from the stands, as he was appointed shortly thereafter. Since then, Chelsea has achieved victories over Charlton in the FA Cup, endured a home loss to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final, and triumphed against Brentford, Pafos in the Champions League, and Crystal Palace.

Notably, neither Maresca nor Mauricio Pochettino won their opening two league games, a feat last accomplished by Graham Potter. However, given the disappointing nature of Potter’s tenure, Rosenior is aware that he will be evaluated over a longer period.

“I’m not focused on relief or emotions; my priority is the job at hand,” Rosenior stated. “We have another crucial game on Wednesday.”

Looking ahead, Chelsea’s next challenge includes a trip to face Italian champions Napoli in the Champions League, followed by a home match against West Ham.

Rosenior’s arrival mid-season coincides with a demanding schedule of two matches per week until mid-February, necessitating rapid adjustments without extensive training time. Consequently, the team continues to exhibit the possession-based style cultivated under Maresca, characterized by high pressing and a cautious setup to defend against counter-attacks.

However, a notable vulnerability remains in set-piece situations, with all five goals conceded under Rosenior’s management resulting from set plays, including a long throw-in, a deep free-kick, and three corners.

Rosenior has prioritized addressing immediate issues, urging his predominantly young squad to adopt a more aggressive demeanor, fostering team spirit, and discussing disciplinary matters with the players. While Chelsea mainly employs a 4-2-3-1 formation, there are indications of a shift towards greater tactical flexibility, as evidenced by their adaptation against Oliver Glasner’s 3-4-3 system at Crystal Palace.

Rosenior elaborated, “Today was a significant test. I modified our formation and, despite the challenge, the players executed the tactical plan exceptionally well, demonstrating engagement and belief in the system.”

Following the victory, an emotional moment arose as Rosenior connected with away fans who chanted his name, visibly moved by the support. “I hope to earn their trust,” he remarked. “This is a fantastic club with incredible supporters. We must collectively strive for improvement in our performances.”

However, the atmosphere was not devoid of discontent, as anti-ownership chants echoed among fans, particularly during away matches. Despite this unrest, the club’s leadership maintains high expectations for Rosenior, with Champions League qualification still a primary objective. In Maresca’s exit statement, the club emphasized the need for change to realign the team for a successful season.

While it remains early days for Rosenior, his initial results are promising and may signal a positive shift in Chelsea’s trajectory.