FOOTBALL
Posted on February 19, 2026 12:00 am | Updated on February 18, 2026 6:49 pm
The debate around Liam Rosenior has exploded just weeks into his arrival at Stamford Bridge. What should have been a fresh chapter for Chelsea has quickly turned into a storm of opinions. Now, some are questioning his presence. Fans see improvements but pundits are seeing warning signs. With that, the comparison with Graham Potter has only turned up the heat on a manager still finding his feet in West London.
A Bright Start For Liam Rosenior Overshadowed By Old Fears
Liam Rosenior walked into Chelsea with momentum behind him. His time at Hull and Strasbourg showed he could build structure and improve young players. Since taking charge of the Blues, his results have been good. Eight wins and one draw from eleven games is no luck. The team looks organised and the improving signs are clearly there. Under him, the players seem to understand their roles.
At Chelsea, results are just one part of the job. There, personality and authority matters more. This Premier League club has a history of sacking managers who cannot control the room. When Graham Potter arrived from Brighton, he was praised as a modern thinker. He talked well, coached well, but never truly controlled the chaos around him. Seven months later, he was gone.
Supporters have seen this script before in the past. A smart English coach arrives with fresh ideas. The football improves slightly but the pressure builds. Then cracks start to appear and the results don’t come.
Meanwhile, Rosenior’s calm tone and composed press conferences have impressed many. But, some still wonder if it is enough to handle superstars and boardroom noise. The early form is solid, but doubts are rising because Chelsea is not patient when issues come up.
Carragher Compares Rosenior with Graham Potter
🚨🔵 | Jamie Carragher on Liam Rosenior: 🗣️
“There’s something about him in press conferences. I’m not sure if it’s a front to project authority.
With Graham Potter, it never felt like the right match, like he had the presence or resilience for a club of that size. I wondered… pic.twitter.com/0u8UVd5bWk
— AUSTIN HONEY (@AUSTINHONEY88) February 17, 2026
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher did not hold back when discussing Rosenior’s suitability. Speaking on The Overlap, he admitted his uncertainty about whether the manager truly fits at Chelsea. He compared Rosenior with former Blues’ manager Graham Potter. His concern was not about tactics or training sessions, it was about presence.
“There is something about Liam Rosenior when you see him in the press conferences, I don’t know if it’s a bit of an act.
“There is no doubt Graham Potter is a good coach. We saw that at Brighton & Hove Albion, and he got the job, but he never felt like the right fit at Chelsea. It didn’t feel like he had the personality or the strength to manage a club like that and I am wondering if it would sort of be the same. It just doesn’t look right.”
Chelsea is one of the biggest football clubs in the world. There, every gesture is analysed and every comment becomes a headline. Carragher’s stance suggests Rosenior may be presenting a polished version of himself.
The Manager’s Time To Prove Authority
The new manager now faces a test beyond tactics. He must show that he can handle big egos, media pressure, and expectations. Winning games helps, but leadership is about more than just formations.
To his credit, the players have responded well so far. Performances show discipline and energy. The squad looks united, and that is no small achievement in a dressing room filled with big names. Rosenior has also shown confidence in rotating his lineup and trusting young talent.
Nonethelessl, comparisons with Potter will not fade away quickly. Chelsea fans want a manager who is bigger than the noise, someone who can stare down criticism and set the tone. Rosenior has time on his side, but only if good results continue. One poor run could reopen every question raised this week.
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