Liam Rosenior has officially taken the reins at Chelsea, stepping into the role vacated by Enzo Maresca with the club's clear target of Champions League qualification this season firmly in mind. The task ahead is substantial, with a significant in-tray of issues that require immediate attention both on and off the pitch. His appointment comes under intense scrutiny, given his move from sister club Strasbourg, making his early actions crucial for success.
The Possession Paradox: Winning Without the Ball
Rosenior arrives at Stamford Bridge with a philosophy centred on controlling games through possession and defensive stability, a key reason for his selection. However, a stark statistic from last season under Maresca highlights a major flaw: Chelsea failed to win any of the five matches where they enjoyed 65% possession or more. Those games were against Crystal Palace, Leeds, Sunderland, Bournemouth, and Brentford.
In contrast, the team's victories often came when they had less of the ball. Their two wins with over 58% possession came against Wolves and West Ham, sides tipped for relegation. Meanwhile, performances with far less possession, such as the 42.7% at Manchester City and 38.3% at home to Arsenal, were seen as positive results in context. The challenge for Rosenior is clear: he must make Chelsea's dominance with the ball translate into consistent victories.
Ending the Charity: Fortifying Stamford Bridge
A critical issue Rosenior must address is Chelsea's alarming habit of surrendering winning positions. Fans have dubbed the side 'Charity FC' after they dropped 15 points from winning positions in the Premier League last season, with most of these collapses happening at home. This has contributed to a dismal 13th-place standing in the Premier League's home table, while their away form would see them in the Champions League spots.
Rosenior is known for wanting to build a strong connection with the fanbase, something both Maresca and Mauricio Pochettino struggled with. Transforming Stamford Bridge back into a fortress, as it was under Jose Mourinho, by seeing out games would be a powerful way to achieve this. Key dropped points included leads against Brentford, Brighton, Sunderland, Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Bournemouth.
Handling the Pressure and Key Players
Off the pitch, Rosenior's articulate and media-savvy nature will be an asset. At a time when managerial comments can be incendiary, his ability to communicate clearly and support the club's BlueCo model is vital. On the pitch, a primary focus will be reigniting Cole Palmer's world-class form. While brilliant in moments like the Club World Cup final, his consistency waned under Maresca. Rosenior will need to manage his minutes wisely, heeding medical advice more closely than his predecessor was known to do.
Finally, team discipline is a clear problem. Under Maresca, Chelsea accumulated numerous needless yellow cards. Liam Delap and Moises Caicedo have been frequent offenders, with silly cautions putting players on a tightrope. Rosenior, familiar with Delap from their time at Hull, must instil smarter, more controlled aggression in his squad to stop this costly trend.
