Liam Rosenior will be desperate to avoid a potential banana skin as Chelsea go to Charlton Athletic on Saturday night – and he’s been speaking in his first pre-match press conference.
The former Hull City and Strasbourg manager was in the stands at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night to watch Chelsea take on Fulham, and will now understand the pressure on him to get things right instantly.
Chelsea failed to win again as Marc Cucurella’s red card hindered the side picked by Calum McFarlane. On Saturday, Rosenior will be desperate to get off to a winning start, which will tempt him to start his best XI.
Anyone else think the training footage of Rosenior and Estevao felt a bit ‘staged’?🤔
Makes for interesting viewing…
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But the third round FA Cup clash at Charlton is the first of six games in 18 days, and it might be better if the new gaffer rests a few key players. One of those could be Chelsea skipper Reece James.
Liam Rosenior shares what he truly thinks about Reece James
Rosenior chose to watch from the stands on Wednesday night, but he will have noticed how James made an immediate impact as a sub. He replaced Enzo Fernandez, who was poor, and Chelsea got into gear.
The issue Chelsea have with James is that the versatile England star cannot start week in, week out. It was why he was on the bench against Fulham in the first place. With James in the side, Chelsea are better.
Reece James of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Bournemouth
Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images
On Friday, Rosenior was asked about James and his thoughts on the former Wigan loanee. He was also asked if he sees James as a right-back, a midfielder or simply both. He said: “He’s a very, very good player.
“Good players can play in many positions. I’ve analysed the recent games and I have to say Reece, in terms of his impact, his performances, he’s growing every day. It’s exciting to be working with Reece.
“Especially at this stage of his career. He has levels he can go to even beyond where he is now. What I’ve learned already is they all want success, not just Reece or the leadership group, but all of them.”
Would you start Reece James against Charlton? 🤔
Or do you rest him for Arsenal next week?
Rosenior will be tempted to pick his best side and start with a win…
Calum McFarlane and Reece James.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
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How Chelsea are now expected to line-up against Charlton…
Rosenior has to consider whether to risk the fitness of his best players ahead of Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal, or rest his starting options and turn to his fringe players.
Ultimately, a mix might be best. Certainly, Filip Jorgensen is likely to come in while Jorrel Hato will have to replace Cucurella. Whether he starts James remains to be seen, but it is unlikely given Arsenal next week.
Elsewhere, Liam Delap could be given a start to gather some momentum after scoring against Fulham but Joao Pedro will be hoping for a go from the off. Rosenior will have some big decisions when picking.
The Chelsea Chronicle believes there could be as many as nine changes made by Rosenior on Saturday, with only Moises Caicedo and Andrey Santos, who was sacrificed following the red, retaining their spot.
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