The shock departure of Enzo Maresca as Chelsea head coach on New Year's Day has triggered a swift search for his successor, with one candidate emerging as a clear favourite. Liam Rosenior, the highly-rated manager of Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg, is now in pole position for the Stamford Bridge hotseat.
A Proven Bond from Hull City
While Rosenior's potential appointment is being debated by fans and pundits, one Chelsea player who would almost certainly welcome it is forward Liam Delap. The 22-year-old has endured a difficult start to his Chelsea career since a £30million summer move from Ipswich, managing just one goal in 13 appearances amid injury problems.
Delap and Rosenior share a strong history from their time together at Hull City during the 2023/24 season. Rosenior, who managed Hull between 2022 and 2024, was a vocal admirer of the young striker's potential. "He is one of a kind and I love him," Rosenior said publicly in November 2023. "He is probably the player who I shout at the most in training. But he is a player I enjoy working with a lot... he is showing some really positive moments for us."
Under Rosenior's guidance at Hull, Delap found form and confidence, scoring eight goals from 26 starts. This productive relationship suggests a move to Chelsea could offer Delap the fresh start he desperately needs after a peripheral role under Maresca.
Rosenior's Tactical Fit and Chelsea's Strategy
Rosenior's candidacy is not based on sentiment alone. His work at Strasbourg has been impressive, aligning closely with Chelsea's long-term vision. Tasked with overseeing the youngest squad in Ligue 1, he guided them to a 7th-place finish and European qualification in his debut 2024/25 season, even challenging for a Champions League spot at one stage.
Tactically, he employs a modern, possession-based philosophy that emphasises controlled build-up, aggressive pressing, and rapid transitions. He is known for his flexibility, often switching between a 3-4-2-1 or 4-2-3-1 formation to exploit opponents' weaknesses. This 'process-driven' approach transformed Strasbourg from relegation candidates into one of Europe's most exciting young teams.
More Than Just Delap: A Track Record of Development
Delap is not the only Chelsea-linked player to have flourished under Rosenior's management. Midfielder Andrey Santos enjoyed a stellar loan spell at Strasbourg last season, scoring 11 goals and being crowned Ligue 1 Young Player of the Season.
Furthermore, striker Emmanuel Emegha, who is scheduled to join Chelsea this summer, has netted 21 times in 40 games under Rosenior's tutelage. This proven ability to develop young attacking talent will be a significant factor in Chelsea's decision-making.
While Strasbourg's form has dipped recently with three defeats in their last four Ligue 1 matches, Rosenior's overall project remains compelling. His potential arrival at Chelsea represents not just a new managerial direction, but a potential career lifeline for Liam Delap, offering the familiar trust and tactical setup in which he has previously thrived.
