When Liam Rosenior got one over on Enzo Maresca three seasons ago, he had no idea he was getting one over on the man he would replace at one of the biggest jobs in football, at Chelsea.
Six days after Maresca’s departure, Rosenior’s announcement as Chelsea manager is just a matter of time.
The Strasbourg head coach wasn’t at training in Alsace today, but rather in London holding talks with the Blues.
There are question marks over how well-equipped the 41-year-old is to follow Maresca’s undeniably successful first campaign at Chelsea, but he has proven his tactics can match up to those of the Italian.
Liam Rosenior is unproven in the Premier League 😬
Derby – 12 games, 58% WIN
Hull City – 78 games, 35% WIN
Strasbourg – 63 games, 49% WIN
Are Chelsea making a mistake in bringing him over from Strasbourg?
Liam Delap gave Liam Rosenior’s Hull a win over Enzo Maresca’s Leicester City
Back at the start of the 2023/24 season, Maresca was enjoying a dream start to life at the King Power Stadium, with a 100% win record in the opening weeks.
Rosenior’s Hull didn’t start too badly themselves, and the win took them to a playoff spot.
The only goal of the afternoon came from Chelsea star Liam Delap, whose deflected effort put the Tigers ahead after just 15 minutes.
Rosenior’s gameplan was to press Leicester constantly and look to unsettle their usually dominant play in possession. After the game, he remarked (via BBC): “I’ve been here for eight months and we wouldn’t have been capable of doing that when I first came in. That’s why I keep saying it’s a process.”
A process is a fine word to describe the BlueCo vision. They selected Rosenior to manage Strasbourg for a reason — the same reason he is taking on the role at Stamford Bridge. The hope is that this is a long-term head coach who can steer the Blues back to the top of English football.
Liam Delap under Liam Rosenior
When his name emerged, people were quick to realise the link between Rosenior and Emanuel Emegha, who is due to arrive from Strasbourg in the summer.
He has been superb under Rosenior, scoring 14 league goals last season, with four in seven already this campaign.
How many goals will Emanuel Emegha score for Chelsea next season?
But Delap has performed for the new Chelsea coach too. He made 32 appearances for Hull after Pep Guardiola sent him to Rosenior to develop, and he scored eight times.
Hopefully, he can find even better form under his fellow countryman this time around after a slow start to life at Chelsea.
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