John Obi Mikel (left) and Liam Rosenoir - both pics GETTY
John Obi Mikel (left) and Liam Rosenoir - both pics GETTY
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel offered his take on why the appointment of Liam Rosenoir as the new Blues boss isn't a step in the right direction. The Englishman arrived at the Stamford Bridge helm last month, succeeding Enzo Maresca.
Following the Italian parting ways on New Year's Day, Calum McFarlane took over on an interim basis for seven days before the Blues announcement the appointment of Rosenoir, putting pen to paper on a 6.5-year deal.
However, Mikel feels the Blues shouldn't have parted ways with Maresca, who had delivered two titles and the team had a certain identity under him, something he finds lacking under Rosenoir.
“We had Enzo Maresca," said Mikel on a podcast (via Chelsea News). "I’ve said it, I think it was a massive mistake to sack him. I mean, it’s ridiculous. Yeah, a manager that won us the Club World Cup, won us the Conference League, we had some sort of identity the way we played.
“We took a step forward, and we’ve gone five steps backwards. Liam has come in and he’s won games, but there is absolutely something that is missing. Something is not quite right.”
Rosenoir has so far managed 12 games across competitions for the Blues, winning eight and losing two, the latest outing being a 1-1 Premier League draw at home to Burnley at the weekend, leaving the Blues fifth in the standings.
"We should have won the game" - Chelsea boss rues Burnley draw
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenoir (left)
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenoir (left)
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenoir reflected on the missed opportunities to take all three points against Burnley at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, having taken an early lead and squandering multiple chances to build on it.
The Blues broke the deadlock inside four minutes through Joao Pedro before Wesley Fofana saw red for two bookable offences. Burnley duly capitalised on their numerical advantage as Zian Flemming netted a 94th-minute equaliser to force a share of the spoils.
"We should have won the game," Rosenoir told BBC Sport. "We should have been more ruthless. There was a lack of penetration in the first half, second half we had more moments without the right final pass or finish."
The Blues next travel to Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday (March 1) before travelling to Aston Villa three days later. On March 7, they travel to Championship side Wrexham for an FA Cup fifth-round fixture.