New Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior says he did “nothing tactical, nothing technical” earlier than his first match towards Charlton – an indication of the probably course of journey beneath his management.
That’s not to say the 41-year-old lacks innovation or the power to nullify opponents, however his similarities to predecessor Enzo Maresca imply he doesn’t must reinvent the wheel.
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When requested by BBC Sport why he had not made any noticeable tactical adjustments earlier than Chelsea’s 5-1 victory within the FA Cup third spherical, Rosenior mentioned: “This can be a group that received the Membership World Cup. That was 5 months in the past. This can be a group that received the Convention League final yr. We’re an excellent group.
“We’re an excellent group. They have been effectively coached. I’ve made no secret of that.”
Rosenior was appointed to construct on Maresca’s work, realizing the way in which Chelsea play, having been a part of their multi-club mannequin at French membership Strasbourg.
By design, the 2 golf equipment play nearly the identical means, permitting gamers and now a head coach to maneuver freely between the 2. On Saturday, Chelsea performed in the identical 4-2-3-1 form utilized by Maresca however constructed up in a 3-2-2-3 system utilized by Rosenior at Strasbourg.
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Nevertheless, that’s not to say there have been no adjustments. Chelsea have struggled to retain leads this season, dropping 15 factors from profitable positions within the Premier League, profitable simply considered one of their previous 9 league matches.
“No, I believe the most important factor I challenged the gamers on was our reactions to setbacks, our depth. I used to be very proud of the togetherness and the spirit of the group in the present day,” Rosenior added.
“I used to be very proud of the depth that they ran at – profitable duels, profitable headers, the entire fundamentals. And that is the place you get your pleasure from.”
Sources concerned in Rosenior’s first periods say depth was a key theme, one of many ideas he hammered dwelling in his first media convention, and one thing that has, at occasions, been a failing for Chelsea throughout lengthy spells of ponderous possession.
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They’ve additionally been susceptible at set-pieces and once more conceded when Miles Leaburn made it 2-1 within the second half at The Valley, earlier than working out snug winners.
“We have to enhance in that facet as effectively – lengthy throws, extensive free-kicks, corners going into our field. They’re the fundamentals that I speak about in soccer,” Rosenior defined.
It seems the system and elegance of play is low on Rosenior’s to-do record, with so many matches to return, and such little time to arrange.
An train in confidence constructing
Liam Rosenior is the primary Chelsea supervisor to win their opening recreation since Antonio Conte in 2016 [Reuters]
In reality, Chelsea’s 5-1 win flattered them on Saturday, however substitutes Liam Delap, Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernandez and Estevao Willian proved an excessive amount of for a drained Charlton aspect to deal with.
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Rosenior is the primary Chelsea supervisor to win his opening recreation since Antonio Conte in August 2016, having fun with the most important profitable margin since Luiz Felipe Scolari in August 2008.
“I’ve to say I used to be delighted with the beginning XI,” Rosenior mentioned. “I used to be delighted with the entrance three. I felt Ale [Garnacho] saved stepping into his one-v-ones.
“Marc Guiu was magnificent, deserved his objective. Jamie [Gittens] seemed like he was going on the defenders. He seemed like he may create in quite a lot of moments. So quite a lot of actual positives and an excellent begin.”
Essentially the most spectacular performer was defender Jorrel Hato, who scored the opening objective and taking part in in a job stuffed by Marc Cucurella final season.
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Hato, 19, made inverted runs into attacking midfield positions when Chelsea had been on the entrance foot, discovered himself in harmful areas and in the end capitalised.
The £37m summer time signing from Ajax has beforehand struggled at Stamford Bridge, however since Maresca left the membership, he has produced arguably his three greatest performances, taking part in important minutes towards Manchester Metropolis and Fulham in latest league matches.
“I noticed him play at Fulham,” Rosenior mentioned. “I used to be so impressed with him then. He is taken that type on to a different stage in the present day. Not simply by way of his objective – I felt his defensive attributes had been high.”
There was concern when Rosenior defined Cole Palmer, Reece James and Malo Gusto had been not noted due to to knocks sustained in defeat at Fulham final Wednesday – notably with more durable exams to return.
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Arsenal are subsequent within the Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday, whereas Chelsea welcome Brentford to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
“He’s going to be judged on how he does towards first rate groups within the Champions League, towards Arsenal, Manchester Metropolis, Liverpool, Aston Villa – these are the groups he will likely be judged towards, so we should see,” former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin instructed 5 Stay.
“He has received an ideal month with quite a lot of video games the place he can see quite a lot of gamers. 4 dwelling league video games, two away league video games – and considered one of them is Wolves, who have not had an ideal season up to now.
“There is not any straightforward route, however that is as pleasant because it might be. He can have realized which of his gamers are fringe gamers. There are fairly just a few he will likely be happy with.”
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It wasn’t all happiness, although: Chelsea supporters continued their protest towards the possession all through the match and even chanted “assault, assault, assault” as their group waited till the brink of half-time for the breakthrough.
The environment amongst followers stays febrile amid mistrust of the possession. It’s a potential pitfall for Rosenior to be cautious of provided that, as a recruit from Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s different membership Strasbourg, he may simply be labelled a yes-man.
When requested concerning the chants, Rosenior mentioned: “All I’ll deal with for the time being is working as arduous as I probably can to assist this group obtain the potential – the limitless potential – that it has. And when you focus and focus in your work, hopefully individuals will see that we’re onto an excellent factor.”