It has not taken long for new Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior to catch Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher’s attention.
Rosenior has taken charge of three games since being appointed as Chelsea manager, including a 3-2 defeat to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
The Blues bounced back from that defeat with a 2-0 victory over west London rivals Brentford last Saturday, which was Rosenior’s first Premier League win.
Joao Pedro grabs his seventh Premier League goal of the season against Brentford! ⚽️
Joao Pedro's 2025/26 Premier League stats
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Carragher has since analysed that match, as well as the loss to Arsenal.
Jamie Carragher provides punditry during Manchester City FC v Liverpool FC - Premier League
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Jamie Carragher on Wesley Fofana man-marking Martin Odegaard in Chelsea vs Arsenal
While watching Chelsea’s loss to Arsenal in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie, Carragher noticed that Wesley Fofana, the team’s left centre-back, was following midfielder Martin Odegaard around the pitch.
The Liverpool legend says it is something that he has not witnessed before.
Analysing Rosenior’s tactics on Sky Sports, he said: “The man-to-man marking here with Fofana, I’ve never seen this before with a centre-back, who’s the left-sided centre-back in the back four, crossing over to the other side of the pitch and ending up on the right with Odegaard.
“So Odegaard’s started on the left, tried to drag Fofana over, ‘Will he come with me? Will he or won’t he?’ He does. And as I said, he’s the left centre-back in a back four. I’ve never seen that before.”
What have you made of Liam Rosenior’s tactics so far?
Jamie Carragher quote on Liam Rosenior's tactics
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images/James Gill – Danehouse
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Chelsea will get the chance to turn things around when they travel to the Emirates on February 3 for the second leg.
Before then, their focus will be on the Premier League and Champions League. Chelsea face Pafos this Wednesday, desperately needing a win after losing their last game in Europe’s elite competition.
Head Coach Liam Rosenior and Robert Sanchez of Chelsea during a training session
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Dangers of Liam Rosenior’s man-marking
During his analysis, Carragher also highlighted the major drawback of Rosenior’s aggressive man-marking tactic.
In Chelsea’s win against Brentford, left-back Marc Cucurella was seen going into midfield to mark one player in Keith Andrews’ side. It resulted in Alejandro Garnacho ending up in Cucurella’s full-back position.
Had Brentford played the right ball, Chelsea could have been in serious trouble. It is definitely something to keep an eye on during Rosenior’s tenure as Blues boss.
All in all, the 41-year-old can be pleased with his start to life in the Stamford Bridge dugout. He has two wins from three games and still has a chance to progress to the Carabao Cup final if Chelsea can beat Arsenal at the Emirates next month.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox