Liam Rosenior, the manager of Chelsea, has named his starting XI for the Champions League match against Pafos on Wednesday. Cole Palmer is not in the matchday squad. Jorgensen is in goal, with Gusto, Fofana, Badiashile, and Hato across the back line. James and Caicedo are in midfield, and Neto, Fernandez, and Garnacho are supporting striker Delap.
Palmer played in just his third full league match of the season over the weekend. He is unlikely to be pushed again because he is still having groin problems. The Chelsea star looked in pain after playing 90 minutes and is still having trouble with the issue. Without him, Joao Pedro, Alejandro Garnacho, and Pedro Neto can all play in attacking roles.
Enzo Fernandez is back in the lineup after being sick. The Argentine midfielder missed training on Monday due to the virus that has been circulating within the team. He showed signs of it during Saturday’s win over Brentford. Fernandez pushed through the setback and played well against the Bees. He is now fit enough to start against the Cypriot champions.
Tosin Adarabioyo will not be able to play because he hurt his hamstring in the win over the weekend. Rosenior confirmed that the defender will be out for the next few weeks. With the former Fulham player out, Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile will play together at centre-back.
Filip Jorgensen is getting a rare start in goal instead of regular number one Robert Sanchez. Rosenior is going pretty much all out for his first Champions League game, with a few notable exceptions. Malo Gusto is back from injury and will play right back, while captain Reece James will be in the middle with Moises Caicedo.
The game is a big chance for Chelsea to get closer to the top eight spots that automatically qualify for the next round. The Blues are in 13th place in the league phase right now, just two points behind the automatic last 16 spots in Europe’s top competition. They have two games left to play. If they win at Stamford Bridge, their chances of avoiding the playoff round will go up.
Rosenior Embraces “Dream” Champions League Debut
Liam Rosenior will be in charge of his first Champions League game on Wednesday. He says it’s a dream come true. The 41-year-old manager has led Chelsea in domestic competitions since taking over from Enzo Maresca earlier this month, but the European stage is new to him.
Rosenior stated it is a “dream” to manage in the Champions League, saying that as a player or manager, the dream is to be at the top of the game, with the Champions League signaling that achievement. The former manager of Hull City and Strasbourg will want to celebrate the milestone by getting three points against Pafos, who are playing in the competition for the first time.
Chelsea have had their best moments in Europe since making mid-season changes at Stamford Bridge. In January 2021, Thomas Tuchel took over for Frank Lampard and led the Blues to their second Champions League title. In 2012, Roberto Di Matteo inspired an ageing team to win the club’s first European title.