Chelsea endured a tough night in the Carabao Cup as they lost to Arsenal, ending their hopes of winning silverware this season. The defeat has put the club’s management under heavy scrutiny. Former Chelsea Legend has claimed that a star player appeared unhappy with the tactical choices made during the match. Fans and pundits are now questioning the board’s summer transfer decisions. The decision to invest in youth over proven experience is under the microscope. Much of the debate centres on the display of their young striker. Above all, tactics of Liam Rosenior have become the main subject of discussion.
Pundits react to the Tactics of Liam Rosenior
Experts have been blunt in their criticism of Chelsea’s current setup following the semi-final game. Gabby Agbonlahor said the system is not working for the squad. He claimed that Liam Delap looked lost, questioning why he was played on the right. He added the step up from Ipswich for Delap was too big and argued Chelsea should have signed Victor Osimhen instead. Osimhen made his loan move from Napoli to Galatasaray permanent for £65m.
Meanwhile, former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit has highlighted internal friction. He claimed that the striker was unhappy with the specific instructions provided on the night, as he was tasked with playing out of position on the wing to shut down the opposition. “Liam Delap was not happy with starting on the right wing against Arsenal“ – Said Ruud Gullit on Football365.
Meanwhile, Paul Merson slammed Liam Rosenior’s decisions, saying Chelsea looked like a bottom-four side.
Former Chelsea star Ruud Gullit feels that Liam Delap was not at all happy after starting Chelsea's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal as a winger at the Emirates pic.twitter.com/oNslFoL19U
— Football Hub (@Sa1im__xd) February 4, 2026
Analyzing the tactical choices of Liam Rosenior
Chelsea set up defensively at the Emirates, focusing on caution for the first hour. The team used a back five system to limit Arsenal’s threat. While this helped at the back, it reduced Chelsea’s attacking output. Liam Rosenior decided to use his primary striker as a makeshift right winger. The idea was to target long balls and stop Arsenal left-back Piero Hincapie from influencing the game. However, the plan did not have the desired effect.
Ruud Gullit observed, “It’s clear that Liam Rosenior played him there so they could launch long balls to him, but he looked totally out of place“.
The coach stood by his choices after the match. Rosanior claimed the mental side of the tie was important. The manager waited until the final 30 minutes to introduce more attacking players like Cole Palmer. He said outside opinions do not affect his decisions.
The Journey of Liam Delap
Chelsea signed Liam Delap for £30 million in June 2025 after activating his release clause. The club beat Manchester United to secure his signing. The move followed an impressive season at Ipswich Town, where he was the top scorer with 12 goals. Delap made a bright start at Stamford Bridge. He registered an assist on his debut and later scored against Barcelona in the Champions League. However, his form has dipped under head coach Liam Rosenior. He has often been used as a makeshift right winger, a role that does not suit his strengths. As a result, Delap has looked short on confidence and has struggled to settle into the system. With just two goals in 21 games this season, critics believe the step up to a top-six club has been too demanding so far.
Future prospects for the Blues
The recent cup exit has exposed tactical issues within the squad. While the head coach remains confident in his methods, experts believe the current system hinders key players. Developing young talent remains a priority for the board. However, they must balance this with immediate results on the pitch. The upcoming fixtures against Wolves will determine if the team can bounce back. Will the management change their approach to accommodate their record signings?
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