If any Chelsea players have been listening to Liam Rosenior, or studied the way the new gaffer had his Strasbourg side playing, they will know that duels, a high press, and distances run are now key.
While Chelsea are some way off in terms of Rosenior getting his new side to play in the way Strasbourg were operating, there are signs that Rosenior is starting to tweak things and demand more from his side.
Rosenior had his old team running constantly, playing a man-to-man system in an ode to Marcelo Bielsa. Keeping opponents penned back by winning the ball high and controlling games with more possession.
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If any Chelsea player is to be a success under Rosenior, they have to put in the hard yards. They will have to do the running, win duels, and put their body on the line before ability is allowed to shine through.
The early signs didn’t look positive for Alejandro Garnacho
It will have come as a bit of a surprise to Chelsea fans that Alejandro Garnacho has now started three of Rosenior’s four games. Especially after such a disappointing performance in the 5-1 win against Charlton.
Garnacho failed to provide a single defensive contribution. He won just two of nine duels and was seen moaning at his teammates when things didn’t go his way. Rosenior cannot have liked Garnacho’s attitude.
Alejandro Garnacho v Pafos
Photo by Steve Bardens – AMA/Getty Images
The Argentine was dropped for Arsenal, but came off the bench to score twice and has since started in wins over Brentford and Pafos. Last night, he had a great chance to score, but his shot was blocked.
However, Rosenior will have been delighted with Garnacho for a different reason. When the Chelsea gaffer delves into the stats from Wednesday’s 1-0 win, he will notice Garnacho at the top of the tree.
Garnacho wins more duels and tackles than any other player
Despite coming up against a Pafos side that spent the entire evening defending and on the back foot at Stamford Bridge, it was Garnacho who won more tackles than anyone on the night, with a massive six.
DISCUSS: Garnacho been the underrated STAR of Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea spell so far… ⭐
Brace against Arsenal, superb against Pafos.
Garnacho stats v Pafos
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Not only that, but Garnacho made more defensive contributions than any other Chelsea player. Given he failed to make a single defensive contribution at Charlton, the £40m man is clearly listening to Rosenior.
But perhaps most remarkably, Garnacho won a staggering 12 out of 15 duels. Five more than the second highest on the night, with Pedro Neto winning seven. That is truly astounding and deserves big praise.
Having made such a poor start to Rosenior’s stint in charge, Garnacho is clearly showing he is ready to listen to his manager. Two goals v Arsenal, two consecutive starts; Garnacho is thriving under Rosenior.
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