Rosenior’s Positive Impact: Chelsea Secures Vital Victory Against Crystal Palace

Liam Rosenior’s arrival at Chelsea has coincided with a much-needed resurgence, as the club has secured back-to-back Premier League victories after winning just one of their previous nine matches.

In a significant match against Crystal Palace, goals from Estevao Willian, Joao Pedro, and Enzo Fernandez propelled Chelsea to a 3-1 victory, reinstating them to fourth place in the league ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Manchester United later that day.

Rosenior’s appointment followed the surprising departure of former head coach Enzo Maresca, who left after a disagreement with the club’s hierarchy. The 41-year-old, previously associated with sister club Strasbourg, has swiftly begun to stabilize the team.

Before Rosenior’s appointment, he witnessed Chelsea’s last league defeat, a 2-1 loss to Fulham. Since then, the team has not only triumphed over Charlton in the FA Cup third round but also faced Arsenal and secured victories against Brentford, Pafos in the Champions League, and now Crystal Palace.

Neither Maresca nor Mauricio Pochettino achieved wins in their first two league games as Chelsea managers, a feat last accomplished by Graham Potter. With Potter’s tenure ultimately deemed unsatisfactory, the pressure is on Rosenior to deliver results consistently.

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

Next up, Chelsea faces a challenging match against Italian champions Napoli in the Champions League, followed by a home game against West Ham at Stamford Bridge. Rosenior’s initial success coincides with a favorable sequence of fixtures that Chelsea was expected to navigate successfully.

With a demanding schedule of two matches per week continuing through mid-February and potentially beyond, time for training is limited. Consequently, Chelsea’s playing style still bears resemblance to that established by Maresca, emphasizing possession and high pressing while being cautious defensively to thwart counter-attacks.

Nevertheless, set-pieces remain a significant area of concern, as all five goals conceded since Rosenior took charge have occurred from set plays, including long throw-ins, free-kicks, and corners. Rosenior has been proactive in addressing other immediate issues, encouraging a more aggressive approach and fostering team spirit while discussing player discipline.

Chelsea predominantly employs a 4-2-3-1 formation, but there are indications that they will become more tactically adaptable, as demonstrated by their adjustments against Oliver Glasner’s unique 3-4-3 setup at Palace.

Rosenior stated, “Today was a crucial test. I altered our tactical shape, and given the performance within just two days, I am very pleased with how effectively the players executed the plan. They show genuine engagement and belief in our strategy.”

Following the match, Rosenior shared a heartfelt moment with traveling fans, visibly moved by their support. When asked if he feels he is winning over supporters, he responded, “I hope so. I’m thrilled to be here at this fantastic club with dedicated fans. It’s a two-way street, and I must earn their trust, as must my staff and the players through our performances.”

However, anti-ownership chants, a recurring theme at Chelsea matches, persisted despite the positive atmosphere. The club’s management, including owners and sporting directors, maintain high expectations for Rosenior, insisting on Champions League qualification. In Maresca’s exit statement, they emphasized the need for a change to realign the team’s trajectory for the season.

While it is still early in his tenure, Rosenior’s initial results are promising.