Now that the transfer window has closed, attention shifts back to the pitch. Chelsea kick off the second half of their campaign with a Carabao Cup semi-final clash on Tuesday night.
Mamadou Sarr is the only addition, having returned from his loan spell at Strasbourg. Rosenior had hoped to strengthen both defence and midfield, but neither move materialised.
While there were hopes of adding depth in defence and midfield, nothing came through before deadline day. For now, Rosenior’s attention turns fully to matters on the pitch.
The rest of the team is expected to remain unchanged from that match, despite comments about fatigue among players like Enzo Fernandez.
Liam Rosenior’s impact at Chelsea already being felt by players
Rosenior has made a positive impression early on, and regardless of tonight’s result, he will still be able to look back on his first month with pride. There is no question the mood around the club has improved.
Marc Cucurella spoke to Sky Sports ahead of the second leg and highlighted a key difference between Rosenior and Enzo Maresca. According to him, the Englishman has brought a new sense of belief into the squad.
When asked about Rosenior and the new coaching staff at Chelsea, the Spaniard offered high praise, noting their positive impact on the team’s confidence.
“Yeah, very good. They bring a lot of energy,” said Cucurella
“They give, as well, some confidence that not all of the players had before. We are in a good point. We can improve a lot of things for sure, we don’t have time to train but we are trying to understand his ideas.”
Marc Cucurella’s response challenges Gary Neville’s view
While Cucurella feels the overall mood in the squad has lifted, particularly among those who struggled under Maresca, Neville has a different take when it comes to Alejandro Garnacho.
Neville told his Sky Sports podcast over the weekend that he thinks the Argentine winger is struggling with confidence at Chelsea. He said: “As a young player that’s gone to Chelsea, he looked shot to pieces in terms of his confidence.”
But it has not been all bad for Garnacho. He scored twice in the first leg against Arsenal, and that brace is the main reason Chelsea still have something to play for heading into tonight. Only a win will do for Rosenior’s side.
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