Since Liam Rosenior arrived at Chelsea, there has been an upturn in the form of many Blues players. Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer, Robert Sanchez, Enzo Fernandez, and more are playing at a higher level.
Both Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez have explained how Rosenior is instilling a newfound belief and confidence among the players at Stamford Bridge. So far, Chelsea have won eight of Rosenior’s 11 games.
They will be expected to make that 12 on Saturday when Burnley go to Stamford Bridge. A side currently sitting in 19th and all but relegated under former Blues midfielder Scott Parker, nine points off safety.
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The likes of Palmer, Pedro, Fernandez, and Sanchez are all expected to start on Saturday, but according to Paul Merson, there is another who has seen his form drastically improve following Rosenior’s arrival.
Paul Merson thinks Andrey Santos is one of Rosenior’s best
Under Enzo Maresca, £18m Santos struggled for game time following his return from Strasbourg, but since the arrival of his old Strasbourg manager Rosenior, Santos has become a key part of the midfield.
Interceptions, positioning, and the ability to dictate the tempo of a game, the young Brazil star is catching the eye in the middle, and Merson believes Santos has been one of Chelsea’s best players under Rosenior.
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Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Speaking to Sports Keeda, Chelsea fan Merson believes Santos is the reason that Rosenior continues to use Palmer as a winger off the right flank, with Fernandez pushed into the 10 role and Pedro Neto left.
“Liam Rosenior likes deploying Andrey Santos and Moises Caicedo in the base of his midfield. I expect Enzo Fernandez to continue as the no.10, with Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto either side of Joao Pedro.
“I like Palmer as a no.10. I think that’s his best position. But Santos has been one of the best performers under Rosenior so I don’t think Chelsea will change anything,” Merson continued, on Santos’ form.
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What a performance from the Brazilian!
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Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Paul Merson predicts Chelsea to beat Burnley convincingly
Home advantage and fifth against 19th suggest this should be a simple win for Rosenior’s men. Merson believes as much, backing the London side to cruise past Parker’s men and secure a comfortable 3-0 win.
“This is a must-win game for Chelsea because from here, the fixtures get messy. It’s a horrendous run coming up,” Merson told Sports Keeda. Indeed, Chelsea have a ridiculously hard run on the horizon.
Between now and May, Chelsea have eight Premier League games to play; Burnley, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Newcastle, Everton, Man City, Man United and Brighton. It means Chelsea must beat Burnley on Saturday.
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