Chelsea‘s early returns under Liam Rosenior suggest a team moving in the right direction, even if the finished product is still taking shape.
Since taking over after Enzo Maresca was dismissed on January 1, Rosenior has guided the Blues to four wins in five matches across all competitions, finding ways to get results while continuing to mold the squad in his image.
That theme was evident again in Chelsea‘s latest victory, which mirrored last weekend’s 2-0 win over Brentford. The performance was not always fluid, particularly in the opening stages, but Chelsea showed greater control and urgency after the break, pulling away once they found another gear in the second half. It is a pattern that reflects both progress and the work still ahead.
The emergence of Estevao
One of the clearest positives of Rosenior’s brief tenure has been the emergence of Estevao as a central figure in the attack. Widely regarded as one of the brightest young talents in world football, the Brazilian delivered with maturity beyond his years.
While Chelsea benefited from an error by Canvot in the buildup to the opening goal, Estevao still had plenty to do and finished with the composure of an experienced Premier League forward.The goal marked just his second in the league and his first since a dramatic late winner against Liverpool in October.
He could have added more, only to be denied by strong work from Henderson. Throughout the match, Estevao linked effectively with fellow Brazilian Joao Pedro, and his creativity played a role in setting up the second goal. Argentina international Enzo Fernandez later completed the scoring, capping a win defined by Chelsea‘s South American contingent.
A great start to a new chapter
Rosenior‘s encouraging start now faces a sterner test on the European stage. Chelsea travel to Napoli for a midweek UEFA Champions League fixture that carries significant weight for both sides.
Rosenior has already made history by becoming the first Chelsea head coach to win his first Champions League match since Thomas Tuchel in 2021, and he has confirmed that Cole Palmer is in contention to feature in Naples. He has also outlined a careful plan for Romeo Lavia following the midfielder’s return to training.
With a Champions League clash followed by a weekend meeting with West Ham United at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea‘s schedule offers little respite. The results so far suggest Rosenior’s Chelsea is capable of competing on multiple fronts, even as the team continues to evolve.
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