Liam Rosenior will be in the stands at Craven Cottage, having decided not to take charge of Chelsea when they go to Fulham on Wednesday night, as he prepares for his first game this weekend.
The Blues will be looking to build on their 1-1 draw against Man City on Sunday, in what is the second West London derby of the season. Fulham will provide stern competition for a stuttering Chelsea tonight.
Calum McFarlane remains in the dugout, but Rosenior has now been confirmed and will be in the stands to watch his new side in action. It is likely he will be doing so with a paper and a pen, noting things down.
Liam Rosenior’s style is fast-paced ⏩
Does that suit this Chelsea squad?
Liam Rosenior stats
Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
On the face of it, it seems a simple decision to go to Chelsea’s so-called feeder team in Strasbourg and pluck their manager after ousting Enzo Maresca. But there is more to it than simply drafting Rosenior in.
Chelsea sources believe Rosenior does two things Maresca didn’t
While Maresca delivered success at Chelsea, winning the Conference League and the Club World Cup, it always felt like the Italian was on the precipice of disaster. It felt as if Todd Boehly would wield the axe.
Now, the American owner has. According to the Mail, there were a number of behind-the-scenes issues that the Chelsea board had grown frustrated with, and there is a hope and belief Rosenior is different.
Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
It is claimed that Rosenior has been partly hired for his ability to control possession and win matches at the same time. Chelsea have only won twice when boasting possession of more than 58% this season.
Those wins came against West Ham and Wolves; hardly inspiring. Other wins have come with possession below the 50% mark and when possession is high, Chelsea lose. They were hammered at Elland Road.
As per The Mail, sources inside Chelsea believe Rosenior can provide what the Blues board wants, and that is winning with possession. Controlling matches, rather than winning while playing on the counter.
Chelsea are certainly backing the new head coach 👀
Thoughts on the contract, Chelsea fans?
Liam Rosenior and Enzo Maresca
Photo by Daniel Chesterton/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
The other thing Chelsea think Rosenior does, that Maresca didn’t
Another key element for Maresca’s sacking and Rosenior’s subsequent hiring is that the former Man City man did not listen to or take the advice of the Chelsea medical staff. Cole Palmer’s fitness is an example.
It is believed that Rosenior will listen to the Chelsea medical staff, and if the former Hull City manager is told that a player is unfit, he won’t use them. Something that Chelsea insiders believe Maresca did not do.
All eyes then on Craven Cottage tonight, as McFarlane looks to give Rosenior the most momentum he can by providing a first win since the middle of December, which came in the Carabao Cup at Cardiff.
A win takes Chelsea into fourth place, with Liverpool facing Arsenal on Thursday night. Rosenior’s newly inherited side boast a better goal difference than Arne Slot’s struggling Liverpool and can go above them.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox