Liam Rosenior will have been quietly impressed with Chelsea’s performance against Arsenal on Wednesday night despite his side losing 3-2 at Stamford Bridge.
If Chelsea were going to lose against arguably the best side in European football at the moment, then they would have to do so with some fight in front of their own fans, and that’s exactly what happened.
Robert Sanchez was guilty of two glaring errors, and Rosenior will have to make a decision on Sanchez moving forward. But elsewhere, Chelsea were excellent, including Rosenior and his decision-making.
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He brought Alejandro Garnacho off the bench, and the Argentina ace scored twice, producing arguably his best 30 minutes in a Chelsea shirt. Chelsea remain in the tie, despite doing so with many absences.
Liam Rosenior says Chelsea player dropped out four hours before
Reece James and Cole Palmer were expected to miss the clash through injury and did, while Moises Caicedo was absent having picked up a one-game suspension. Then, three more were missing with illness.
Malo Gusto was already a doubt anyway, but the right-back was ill as was Jamie Gittens, who had done well against Charlton on Saturday. The other was £30m striker Liam Delap, who was set to start last night.
Liam Delap scores v Fulham.
Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
Reuniting with Rosenior, Chelsea fans are hoping it is the lift off Delap requires to shine in a Chelsea shirt. Last night would have been his first proper chance to do so, but illness prevented him from playing.
“Jamie was ill last night, Delap was due to play today, and felt ill four hours before the game. Malo Gusto was ill,” Rosenior said after Wednesday night’s defeat to Arsenal in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi.
“Moises Caicedo was suspended. I want to keep the ill players away from the group so it doesn’t spread. Both of them had dangerously high temperatures. Hopefully they can be rested and be fine for Saturday.”
Liam Delap’s record under Liam Rosenior at Hull City…
Marc Guiu started Rosenior’s first game up front against Charlton and was good. The Spaniard scored and worked his socks off, and with Delap missing, he started again. But Guiu was a passenger last night.
What does Liam Rosenior need to do to get the best out of Liam Delap? 👊
Rosenior had Delap on loan at Hull
Liam Delap, Liam Rosenior and Hull City's owner.
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Joao Pedro played off of Guiu, perhaps suggesting Rosenior sees the former Watford star as more of an attacking midfielder rather than a centre-forward. If Rosenior wants a proper no.9, Delap is the man.
Rosenior obviously worked with Delap at Hull, a young Delap. The two know each other, and Rosenior knows how to play to Delap’s strengths. This is a player who can shine under Rosenior if used correctly.
Against Brentford, a physical side, Chelsea will need a Delap to lead the line. Hopefully, the former Man City striker is fit enough to play against The Bees because Chelsea certainly need him to start.
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