Liam Rosenior has followed in Roberto Di Matteo’s footsteps by joining Chelsea halfway through the season, and will be hoping the FA Cup Fifth Round draw will see him handed a chance at replicating the Italian’s victory in 2012.
The Blues have been drawn to face Wrexham in the next round of the cup, with Hollywood tycoon Ryan Reynolds delighted at the prospect of facing Chelsea.
While it continues the club’s run of cup games away from home, Chelsea should really fancy their chances at progression when taking on another lower-league side.
Are you convinced by Rosenior yet, Chelsea fans?
His start is almost as good as Jose's!
The eight-time winners were victorious in 2012 after changing their manager halfway through the season. Di Matteo took over from Andre Villas-Boas.
Liam Rosenior is looking to recreate Roberto Di Matteo's FA Cup heroics
Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
Liam Rosenior handed chance to follow Roberto Di Matteo’s FA Cup magic
That year, they also drew a Championship side in the Fifth Round, with them getting the better of Birmingham City 14 years ago.
What followed that year were dominant wins in the quarter-finals over Leicester City and Tottenham, scoring 10 goals across those two games.
Goals have been flowing under Rosenior at Stamford Bridge too. They have nine in the cup so far, with Pedro Neto firing a hat-trick on Friday against Hull.
Winning a trophy would be a massive statement for the new manager at Chelsea, and his chances at FA Cup glory have just been made significantly stronger.
Liam Rosenior, Manager of Chelsea reacts
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
Di Matteo’s advice to recreate his own magic
As well as the triumph in the FA Cup final over Liverpool. Di Matteo was in charge when the Blues broke their European duck and were crowned Champions League winners.
The Italian led Chelsea past Barcelona in the semi-finals, arguably the best side in Europe at the time.
Di Matteo accepted his side wouldn’t have much of the ball, and got a number of big-name players to leave their egos at the door for the good of the team.
Rosenior’s hiring was not universally loved by supporters, but winning trophies is the ultimate way to get doubters on board.
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