Liam Rosenior is expected to make key decision to bench Chelsea players Enzo Maresca didn’t drop this season.
New Boss Liam Rosenior Starts Assessing His Chelsea Squad
New Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has now had a look at the majority of his first team squad. This comes after he has been in charge for the last two games. Those early outings have already given him plenty to think about. That is especially in key areas of the field where standards are dropping.
Rosenior heavily rotated between games against Charlton in the FA Cup and Arsenal in the Carabao Cup. The idea was that he wanted to see depth and attitude. The manager wanted to a response from the team under pressure. Even with the changes, there were still two major absentees. Reece James and Cole Palmer are yet to feature under the new manager. Both are likely to return against Brentford in Premier League at the weekend. That will add some much needed quality to a Chelsea side that lost to the Gunners on Wednesday.
Despite the loss, Rosenior will be impressed with the fight his players showed to stay in that tie. Chelsea did not collapse, and the energy remained until the final whistle. However, the manager admitted he was disappointed with the goals his side had conceded. That disappointment is likely to shape his first big league call.
Liam Rosenior talking about his management philosophy 👀:
🗣️ "In English, 'manage', if you split the two words is 'man' and 'age', so 'you're 'ageing men'
Am I a manager or a coach? I'm both. Coaching is educating. Coaching is wanting to improve players on a technical and… pic.twitter.com/yroYi6QIwy
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) January 14, 2026
Defensive Errors Put Pressure On The Goalkeeper
The Carabao Cup defeat against Arsenal brought unwanted focus on Chelsea’s goalkeeper. Fingers were pointed at Robert Sanchez for his part in the defeat. The first two goals in particular are not showing him in a good spot. For a club chasing stability, moments like those are very likely to expect tough calls from a new manager.
Sanchez has been a constant presence in the league. Enzo Maresca didn’t drop Sanchez once in the league this season. His only absences came through his suspension and injury. That level of trust now sits under review at the Blues. This is not because of one game alone, but because Rosenior is setting his own standards early.
The goals conceded on Wednesday stood out more because Chelsea had competed well in other areas. When a team fights and still loses, eyes naturally turns to decisive moments. For Rosenior, those moments may push him toward a change that Maresca never considered.
Filip Jorgensen Could Make A Rare League Start
Filip Jorgensen has showed strong signs with both his hands and his feet against Charlton. Given that, he should be given a rare opportunity to start in the Premier League against Brentford. His performance in the FA Cup was calm and confident. He looked tidy in possession as well. At the moment, he fits the demands placed on modern goalkeepers at Chelsea.
Though, the Dane is yet to keep a clean sheet this season. But, that statistic does not tell the full story. He impressed with a number of big saves in the 1-1 draw against Manchester City. That was the first game after Maresca’s exit. That display reminded many inside the club that the Danish goalkeeper can handle pressure at the highest level.
For Rosenior, this is less about dropping Sanchez and more about rewarding competition. The change could also send a clear message that places are earned at the West London club.
A Chance to Change the Story Under Rosenior
One of the challenges Rosenior faces is managing players who have been sidelined. The lack of minutes offered to Jorgensen in the last two seasons have seen him consider his options in the transfer window. A player of his age and profile cannot afford to sit on the bench for long time.
Meanwhile, West Ham are showing keen interest in Jorgensen. That interest alone highlights his value. However, a move would leave Chelsea short in the goalkeeper position for the rest of the campaign. That will be far from a ideal for a squad already under a big change.
Rosenior would likely do well to convince the shot stopper. The boss might offer him an opportunity for minutes to be earned. A league start against Brentford would be a powerful sign that things are changing.
Brentford Match Brings a Defining Moment
Chelsea’s upcoming clash with Brentford arrives at an important time. With Reece James and Cole Palmer expected to return, the overall quality of the side will improve instantly. That makes the goalkeeper decision even more vital.
Dropping Sanchez would be a harsh call. That is especially considering his status under the previous manager. But, new eras often begin with uncomfortable calls. Rosenior has already spoken about being unhappy with the goals conceded. With that, the action tends to follow words in football management.
Long Term Planning Already in Motion
Beyond the upcoming fixture, Chelsea’s goalkeeping situation is evolving. In another transfer news, the Blues are set to welcome Mike Penders to the club in the summer as well. His experience working under the current manager at Strasbourg is likely to work in his favour.
That future arrival adds urgency to the present. Rosenior must manage the minutes of his current options carefully. Giving Jorgensen a stage now could help steady the group before further changes arrive.
For now, all eyes will be on the team sheet against Brentford. If Rosenior makes the call to bench a player Enzo Maresca never dropped, it will mark the first clear statement of his Chelsea reign.
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