Former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot says he does not want to “judge” the performances of Liam Rosenior’s team too soon and expects their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal to be “even closer”.
In Rosenior’s first home game in charge since taking over, the Blues fell to a 3-2 defeat by London rivals Arsenal in the first leg of their Carbao Cup semi-final.
Despite having seemingly improved this season, it was goalkeeper Robert Sanchez who failed to deal with the Gunners’ first two goals to put Chelsea on the back-foot, but Rosenior refused to place blame on the Spain international.
“It’s too early to start asking question marks [about Sanchez]. Everybody will make mistakes,” Melchiot told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.
“Of course he [Rosenior] sees them [the mistakes], but you do not want to publicly go after your players.
“One of the key things I saw is how far up the keeper is. Rosenior wants to create an extra centre-half when they have the ball. We want time. I do not want to judge him too hard. They are so used to playing the way prior to his arrival.”
Despite the defeat and having been two goals down on two occasions, Chelsea can take some positives from the fact it is just a one-goal deficit to overturn, with substitute Alejandro Garnacho scoring two crucial goals.
Rosenior will now have five games before the return leg at the Emirates, which he will hope to have players like Cole Palamer and captain Reece James back for, while also being able to implement his style of play more.
” Melchiot added: “Garnacho came on and played well. You need your wingers, they have got to contribute. Estevao had a couple of opportunities. That kid is confident, and so young. The ones that do well in the Premier League are the ones who were that confident.
“The two goals Garnacho scored were important. It allowed Chelsea to compete again. After seven minutes, the corner, you cannot do that. You know how Arsenal play.
“You go to Arsenal’s stadium now. Chelsea will be further into the games, you have a better rhythm to create. I expect this game to be even closer.”
How much – if at all – do you think those five games will help Chelsea to reach Wembley final?
