Is Liam Rosenior a Breath of Fresh Air for Chelsea?
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Chelsea’s 2-2 draw against Leeds felt like a missed opportunity. Leading by two goals at home, the frustration came not from being outplayed, but from familiar lapses in concentration that allowed a winning position to slip. For long spells, they controlled the game, only for that authority to unravel at the first setback. Even then, deep into stoppage time, there was still a chance to change the narrative. A sharp sequence involving Malo Gusto’s flick, and Moisés Caicedo’s driven cross left Cole Palmer with a 0.87 xG opportunity, one he would usually be expected to convert. Had it gone in, supporters would have forgiven the collapse that preceded it, but the construction of the chance itself spoke to an attacking coherence that has not always been present under pressure this season. The dropped points hurt, but taken in context, they reinforce why judgements on Liam Rosenior should not yet be final.
Rosenior was appointed on 6 January 2026 following Enzo Maresca’s departure, stepping up from BlueCo sister club Strasbourg, where he had quietly built his reputation. A former defender with Premier League experience, Rosenior moved quickly into coaching after retirement, holding roles at Derby County and Hull before his move to Ligue 1. It was in France that his coaching identity took clear shape, developing an approach centered around man-to-man pressing, proactive full-back involvement and direct progression up the pitch.
There are signs that these ideas are translating. Chelsea have won seven of their last ten matches, and while performances have not always convinced across a full 90 minutes, the response to adversity has improved. Comebacks against Napoli and West Ham showed a side willing to stay engaged rather than drifting when momentum turned. Rosenior has framed this as a question of reaction rather than reinvention, but tangible adjustments have followed. Chelsea’s press has become more man-oriented, with clearer triggers, while the full-backs have been encouraged to stretch the pitch by overlapping. Notably, Marc Cucurella has played wider on the left, with support from Enzo Fernández, allowing Chelsea to function without a recognised left winger.
The managerial change has already benefited certain players. João Pedro has spoken openly about clearer communication with Rosenior, and his goal return reflects that trust. Andrey Santos has regularly broken into the starting lineup, no surprise given their shared history at Strasbourg while, in defence, Jorrel Hato and Acheampong have already received increased minutes. Though the football remains imperfect, the sense of detachment that defined earlier parts of the season has lifted.
That progress exists within a broader Chelsea environment that remains difficult to navigate. Load management, particularly for players like Reece James and Wesley Fofana, has become central to squad planning both on a game-by-game basis and during transfer windows, and was widely briefed as a source of tension that contributed to Maresca’s departure. Rosenior has so far shown a greater willingness to work within the constraints set by others at the club, accepting the limitations of his role as head coach rather than traditional manager. He is not shaping Chelsea’s recruitment strategy or ownership vision. His task is narrower: to get the best from the players at his disposal. So far, there are signs of progress, and on those terms, cautious optimism feels justified.