Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior insists even a decimated Napoli stays ‘a really sturdy group’ below ‘superb’ Antonio Conte, and he’s anticipating ‘an thrilling sport’ within the Champions League.
It kicks off on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).
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Enzo Maresca was the Chelsea coach till the stunning break up on January 1, following within the footsteps of different former Stamford Bridge Italian bosses like Carlo Ancelotti and tomorrow’s opponent Conte.
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 25: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of SSC Napoli, appears on previous to the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SSC Napoli at Juventus Stadium on January 25, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photograph by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Photos)
“Enormous respect for him, firstly as a participant, he was a powerful footballer,” when requested about Conte.
“He then went on to have an unbelievable and nonetheless has an unbelievable profession as a coach. I believe his ardour as a participant transmits to the eagerness in his groups and clearly after I was youthful watching Chelsea play within the method that they did, defensively so sturdy.
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“He’s gone on to show what an incredible supervisor he’s and he’s received many titles, together with an unbelievable title right here final yr.”
Rosenior has nice respect for Conte and Napoli
COBHAM, ENGLAND – JANUARY 27: Liam Rosenior, Supervisor of Chelsea, conducts a coaching session at Chelsea Coaching Floor on January 27, 2026 in Cobham, England. (Photograph by Jasper Wax/Getty Photos)
Conte is the final supervisor to win the Premier League title at Chelsea and that was 9 years in the past.
In the meantime, he’s recent off the Serie A trophy final season, and
“This can be a very sturdy group. I believe it might have been unlucky within the current video games that they performed,” famous Rosenior.
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“The outcomes haven’t adopted the performances that Antonio’s group have given. We all know it’s going to be a really troublesome sport in a really particular environment. It doesn’t change my plans in any respect as a result of I’ve been planning for a really troublesome sport.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 20: Liam Rosenior, Supervisor of Chelsea, speaks to the media throughout a Chelsea FC Press Convention at Stamford Bridge on January 20, 2026 in London, England. (Photograph by Jasper Wax/Getty Photos)
from the Champions League after scraping simply two wins, two attracts, and three defeats.
“In soccer, within the Champions League, in Serie A, within the Premier League, you may by no means count on something. The competitors stage is so excessive. Napoli are an important group. They proved that final yr with a unbelievable title,” famous Rosenior.
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“After they have excellent particular person gamers, they’ve a world-class coach. They’re nonetheless within the place the place they’ll get via. We’re conscious of that. I believe it is going to make for an thrilling sport as a result of Napoli must win. Additionally, for us to have a sensible probability of the highest eight, we additionally must win.”
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: Cole Palmer of Chelsea appears on throughout the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Chelsea at Vitality Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Bournemouth, England. (Photograph by Mike Hewitt/Getty Photos)
There are vital developments for the Blues, as Cole Palmer returns to the squad after lacking their wins over Pafos and Crystal Palace with a thigh subject.
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Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen can be obtainable, however Romeo Lavia has stayed behind to work on his health after a protracted damage lay-off, with Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo and Dario Essugo.
There was some hypothesis on Cole’s future at Chelsea, so Rosenior took the chance to reassure followers there was “no motive to have the dialog” a few potential exit.
Chelsea squad for Napoli: Jorgensen, Sanchez, Bernal, Merrick; Acheampong, Badiashile, Chalobah, Cucurella, Fofana, Malo Gusto, Hato, James; Caicedo, Fernandez, Andrey Santos; Delap, Garnacho, George, Gittens, Guiu, Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro, Palmer, Estevao