The last thing Liam Rosenior needs right now is an injury crisis. The new Chelsea manager watched his side cruise to a 5-1 win over Charlton Athletic on Saturday, as Arsenal lurk around the corner.
After a tricky first half that looked like it was coming to a close, Chelsea struck. Teenage defender Jorrel Hato smashed home a loose ball to score the first of the Rosenior era, but also his first goal for Chelsea.
Chelsea made it two quickly after the break, Tosin scoring a header. Marc Guiu got a third and substitutes Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez rounded off the win to secure Chelsea’s place in the fourth round.
Three 8’s, but a 4/10 for Garnacho – do you agree? 👀
One of Jamie Gittens' best Chelsea outings…
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Rosenior will be delighted to have come through the match after making eight changes, resting some key players, but earning some momentum with a big win. However, his comments after are slightly worrying.
Liam Rosenior confirms three possible injuries for Arsenal
Such is Chelsea’s mad schedule at the start of January, the clash against Charlton was the first of six matches that the Blues play in an 18-day period. Next up, is Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Cole Palmer and Reece James during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
The first leg takes place on Wednesday night at Stamford Bridge, the first of three consecutive games at Stamford Bridge. Speaking after the match, Rosenior had some concerning news for Chelsea fans.
Reece James, Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto were injured: “Malo, Cole and Reece were precautionary and they had minor tweaks from the Fulham game. We have such a good squad so I don’t want to take risks.”
Liam Rosenior’s first chance of silverware in huge doubt
Chelsea are fighting on three fronts when it comes to silverware this season, as well as the scrap to qualify for the Champions League. But if the trio are missing on Wednesday, it will come as an enormous blow.
Jorrel Hato scores his first Chelsea goal!
Jorrel Hato scores for Chelsea
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
What have you made of Hato’s position under Rosenior? Looks to be featuring heavily in the midfield…
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Rosenior will have been keen to avoid a banana skin in Charlton on Saturday and gather momentum going into Wednesday night. They did that, ahead of what is Rosenior’s first chance of silverware.
A home leg against Arsenal, Chelsea need a result next Wednesday to take to The Emirates. But if they don’t have Palmer or James – as well as Gusto – then it is a huge blow, and hampers Rosenior’s chances.
The FA Cup is still young, the Premier League is gone and the Champions League is near impossible at this stage. The Carabao Cup is Chelsea’s best chance, but without James and Palmer, it will be tricky.
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