What is becoming more and more apparent under Liam Rosenior and certainly after his first game as Chelsea manager, is that the new gaffer demands intensity.
Intensity in Chelsea’s possession, intensity in Chelsea’s press, and sheer running all over the pitch to form a high press that worked so well for Rosenior in France. A tactic likened to Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United.
A brilliant start for Rosenior, who broke Antonio Conte’s record as the last Chelsea manager to win in their first game. Since Conte, nine managers – permanent or caretaker – have failed to win their first game.
Rosenior even made eight changes to his side before taking to the pitch against Charlton. Only Andrey Santos, Moises Caicedo, and Tosin Adarabioyo remained, but it was another who earned Joe Hart’s praise.
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Joe Hart lauds Chelsea attacker Marc Guiu after Charlton win
Rosenior handed £5m man Guiu a start on Saturday night when many had expected it to be either Liam Delap or Joao Pedro up front, and Guiu duly repaid his manager. A quiet first half, but he worked hard.
In the second, Guiu lost his man for Charlton’s goal as Lloyd Jones won the header before Miles Leaburn netted. But, he made up for it instantly, a poacher’s goal after Facundo Buonanotte’s effort was saved.
Guiu v Charlton.
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Hart praised Guiu both after his goal, and then while he was subbed off on TNT Sports: “Do you know what, he’s worked so hard tonight without having hardly any of the ball, hardly any opportunities.
“But as soon as that ball dropped, he was there. Guiu’s there, on the spot, puts the game to bed,” he added. After coming off, Hart added on the striker: “Marc Guiu can be really proud of his performance.
“On it the whole time. Setting the press, big hug from his manager, those are the sorts of things you don’t normally notice, but Liam Rosenior is the type of coach who will expect that energy from his striker.”
He might be the third choice, but he suits Rosenior at Chelsea
Ultimately, Guiu is third choice. But if Rosenior does eventually instill the tactics he used in France, then he will need a striker able to initiate the press and chase down defenders without losing energy to score.
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Delap is probably first choice at the moment, but the £30m signing from Ipswich is not the kind of striker that will go and chase down defenders constantly. Pedro is more of a striker who drops into the 10 role.
If there are a few winners from Rosenior’s appointment, Andrey Santos will be one given Rosenior was his old Strasbourg gaffer. But as Hart says, Guiu is the perfect kind of striker for a manager like Rosenior.
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