Liam Rosenior endured a torrid time at Stamford Bridge, but there was one Chelsea player in particular who really transformed himself over the past month or so.
While Liam Rosenior’s tenure buckled under the weight of a goal drought, his short reign was punctuated by improvements that the next manager will surely appreciate.
Joao Pedro is one example of a player who looked like a new signing after Enzo Maresca’s departure, turning himself into the first name on the teamsheet with 19 goals and nine assists.
Andrey Santos was another who became a starter and displayed the quality that had been missing from the midfield, helping him force his way into the Brazil squad.
However, it was Jorrel Hato who shone through in Rosenior’s final weeks as Chelsea boss.
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Jorrel Hato’s rise under Liam Rosenior
The transformation of Jorrel Hato from a raw talent to a composed defender stands as one of the few success stories of Liam Rosenior’s tenure.
Under Maresca, the 20-year-old was often utilised as a rotational option, but Rosenior in his latter days, identified the Dutchman as the heartbeat of his backline. This increased responsibility saw Hato’s metrics skyrocket, especially for progressive passing and successful dribbles.
Not only that, Hato had evolved into a vocal leader on the pitch, frequently taking the lead on defensive transitions and organising more senior teammates.
And Hato’s performance against Manchester City said it all. Up against Erling Haaland, he made three tackles, three recoveries and a block in his 90 minutes on the pitch, and was dribbled past just once.
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After struggling for game time under Maresca, it was reported that Hato is enjoying his football much more under Rosenior.
And Ronald Koeman has even praised Hato’s development at Chelsea, leading to his inclusion in the Netherlands international squad.
“He also called me when he could make the transfer to Chelsea. Then it’s about whether you are ready for it. Is it the step where you are going to play.
“He is developing tremendously and is only 20 years old. He is there for a reason, because he plays his matches at Chelsea.”
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