Liam Rosenior has only had a week to take in life at Chelsea, but it has not been a quiet week. Two games. Two different tests. Pressure straight away. That is what happens when you take over mid-season, especially at a club that does not do calm for long. Chelsea showed fight against Arsenal in midweek, and Rosenior will now step into his first Premier League match as manager with one clear aim. End the wait for a league win. The last one came against Everton, and the gap since then has started to weigh.
Some players are expected back too. Cole Palmer, Reece James and Malo Gusto could all return. That helps. Still, the player who seems to have caught Rosenior’s eye most is one he already knows he can lean on. Enzo Fernandez.
ROSENIOR’S FIRST FEW DAYS HAVE BEEN A DEEP END
Rosenior has not had time for slow introductions. The squad needed energy. The crowd needed something to latch onto. The staff needed quick decisions. That kind of week teaches a manager a lot. Not just who can play. Who can handle stress, stays loud and keeps running when the game turns.
Chelsea’s response against Arsenal mattered. They looked more intense. Not perfect, but alive. That was a start. Now Rosenior needs points.
ENZO FERNANDEZ GIVEN A CENTRAL ROLE
Fernandez came off the bench against Charlton and made an impact, even scoring. Against Arsenal, Rosenior went further. He gave him control. A central role. The player who dictates tempo and links everything together.
The shift showed up in the numbers. In Fernandez’s previous match against Arsenal, he recorded just 37 touches. Under Rosenior, he had 100. That sort of jump says something. Either the team trusted him more, or they were instructed to. Possibly both. Rosenior wants his midfield built around someone who can keep the ball moving, even when the game gets messy. Fernandez fits that.
“RAN HIMSELF TO THE GROUND”
Rosenior did not hide how impressed he was after the match. Speaking to BeIN Sports, he praised Fernandez’s attitude and work-rate. He said Fernandez showed passion and commitment, and that he “ran himself to the ground.” He also suggested the longer the game went on, the more Fernandez influenced it.
That detail matters. Some midfielders fade. Fernandez grew into it. Rosenior also called him one of the leaders in the group and said he loves having him around. Strong words for a coach still learning the squad.
🎙️Liam Rosenior on Enzo Fernandez: "So impressed. I knew what an outstanding player he was. It's not until you see a player up close to see what he's all about. He's a winner.”
“It's his birthday today so I told him he should go to a steakhouse and enjoy some Argentinian steak.… pic.twitter.com/zs7lVk2qjy
— Blue Season Daily (@BlueSeasonDaily) January 17, 2026
WHY THIS ROLE SUITS HIM
Fernandez has never looked like a player who should hide in games. He wants touches, involvement and wants to feel the rhythm. When Chelsea use him as a tempo-setter, it gives the side a different shape. The ball moves quicker. Press resistance improves. The game becomes less frantic.
It also asks a lot of him. He has to cover ground, win duels, and keep the ball under pressure. Against Arsenal, he did all three. That is probably why Rosenior latched onto him quickly.
BUT THE FUTURE NOISE IS STILL THERE
Even with praise from the new manager, there is still uncertainty in the background. Reports from France have suggested interest in Fernandez, with the idea of a move later rather than now.
There is also the wider issue of how Fernandez took Enzo Maresca’s exit. The two reportedly got on well, and Fernandez is said to be unhappy with the decision to sack him. That kind of feeling does not vanish just because a new manager says the right things. It fades slowly.
For Rosenior, this is the real job. Not tactics. Keeping key players locked in.
AUTHOR’S INSIGHT
Rosenior praising Fernandez this early feels important. It is not just about a good game. It is about identifying the spine of the team. Fernandez looks like the player he wants to build around, and the 100 touches show that. The risk is that noise around the future grows. If Rosenior can make Fernandez feel central again, Chelsea’s season looks calmer. If not, this will keep bubbling.
As featured on Chelseanews.com