Chelsea’s Support for Liam Rosenior: Maintain, Release, or Expand?

The January transfer window is currently active, providing ample opportunity for leading Premier League teams to strengthen their squads in pursuit of trophies. For clubs aiming to avoid relegation, this period presents a chance to secure additional players to complete their objectives.

In this installment of Keep, Dump or Extend, Mark Ogden and Gab Marcotti delve into the challenges facing Chelsea across various aspects, including transfers and their new head coach.

Chelsea: Keep, Dump or Extend?

• League position, as of Jan. 23: 6th, 34 points. (Last year’s finish: 4th, 69 points)
• Realistic goal: A run to the quarterfinals in the Champions League and securing qualification for the next season

1. Enzo Maresca has been succeeded by Liam Rosenior. What insights has Chelsea gained, and how can they facilitate his role?

Marcotti: Rosenior previously worked at Strasbourg, which is part of the BlueCo multiclub ownership, similar to Chelsea, so he understands the club’s operations and business model. This model emphasizes player development and achieving long-term value through player trading, alongside immediate success. While this is advantageous, it’s worth noting that Maresca was also quite knowledgeable about the club’s operations upon his appointment.

Assuming the model remains intact, for Rosenior to perform better than Maresca, clear communication and direction are essential. Strasbourg focused heavily on player development, which has led to fan dissatisfaction. Chelsea cannot afford to adopt this approach due to greater financial stakes, a larger fanbase, and a history of success during the Roman Abramovich Era.

It would be beneficial for a senior figure at Chelsea—perhaps one of the five (yes, five) sporting directors—to take on a more visible role, rather than leaving everything to Rosenior, who is only 41. Additionally, it is crucial for him to have defined limits regarding his authority over player rotation and playing time.

Ogden: Liam Rosenior faces a significant challenge, but he possesses the players necessary to meet Chelsea’s minimum goals this season. The key question is whether those players, particularly the more seasoned ones like Reece James, Enzo Fernández, and Cole Palmer, are willing to embrace the strategies of a coach whose last position in England ended—unfairly—with his dismissal at Hull City.

Chelsea has a squad capable of finishing in the top four, despite its shortcomings, so a competent coach should be able to guide the team toward the owners’ short-term aspirations.

2. Can they rely on João Pedro, Marc Guiu, and Liam Delap as their center-forward options?

Marcotti: I would lean towards “probably not.” When João Pedro plays as a center forward, he presents a completely different profile compared to the other two, and I am uncertain if that is his optimal position—not to mention his injury history is concerning.

Delap has as many red cards as goals (1) across all competitions, and Guiu is still in his teenage years. I believe it is necessary to provide Maresca with another option. If spending is a concern, it would be sensible to bring in Emanuel Emegha from Strasbourg six months early.

play1:04Liam Rosenior: Enzo Fernández transfer speculation means nothing to me

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has downplayed any transfer rumors concerning Enzo Fernández.

Ogden: I don’t think so. I appreciate João Pedro—he represents an improvement over Chelsea’s previous options—but he does not belong in the Didier Drogba/Diego Costa category, so Chelsea still lacks a 20-goal striker.

Delap has had a challenging start due to injuries, but he is unlikely to develop beyond a secondary striker role. As for Guiu, he is talented and full of potential, but he is too young to be relied upon for scoring goals to secure a title.

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3. Should the Blues have confidence in Robert Sánchez as goalkeeper?

Marcotti: You can wait until the end of the season to make a decision, of course. However, Sánchez has shown improvement this year and has outperformed Filip Jorgensen, so it ultimately comes down to whether you want to bring Mike Penders in or pursue a free agent like Mike Maignan.

Maignan does not align with Chelsea’s profile as he will turn 31 this summer, but he is set to be a free agent, ranks among the top five goalkeepers globally, and is a natural leader. They were very close to acquiring him last summer, and they must seriously consider it. However, this should not extend much beyond March.

Ogden: He has made strides this season and may be benefiting from the assurance that comes with being the No. 1. Yet, when comparing him to recent title-winning goalkeepers and David Raya at Arsenal, Sánchez falls short of the level required to help teams secure the Premier League.

4. Do they require assistance at center back?

Marcotti: With Levi Colwill sidelined until next season, Trevoh Chalobah is likely Chelsea’s top center back, and he has partnered with a rotating group of Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Benoît Badiashile.

I would maintain this group and assess their performance in the summer. A fit Fofana is quite reliable, and Adarabioyo appears open to a squad role. You need to ensure a pathway for Colwill and avoid retaining ineffective defenders, but if necessary, you could consider re-signing Mamadou Sarr, who has been a regular at Strasbourg.

Ogden: I disagree with Gab on this. I believe all the defenders mentioned are competent Premier League players, and Chalobah has certainly improved since returning from his loan at Crystal Palace a year ago. However, Chelsea lacks a defensive cornerstone—a Virgil van Dijk, Rúben Dias, or Gabriel Magalhães—and that is what they need to secure.

5. Can Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi be transferred?

Marcotti: There is no benefit in retaining players who do not participate, and these two do not even hold squad numbers. Sterling commands a substantial salary and reportedly wishes to remain in London. It would be prudent to contact Fulham, Crystal Palace, West Ham, or others, and subsidize his wages. I am sure he desires to play.

Disasi appeared as a substitute in the last World Cup final. He did not excel during his loan at Aston Villa last season, but he too recognizes the need to find playing time elsewhere.

Ogden: Sterling and Chelsea find themselves in what seems to be a no-win situation. As you mentioned, Gab, he wants to stay in London for family reasons, but his options are limited unless he is willing to accept a significant pay cut. Chelsea could assist him by paying off his contract, but neither scenario appears likely. Disasi should be relatively easy to transfer in January as he does not face the same challenges that Sterling does.

6. Is Andrey Santos prepared to be a consistent contributor in midfield?

Marcotti: He was brought in to be the primary option off the bench—considering Romeo Lavia’s well-known injury issues—but has faced difficulties. At just 21, he is adapting to a new league, yet Chelsea urgently needs a dependable option to step in, especially since Reece James also has a poor injury record and may be needed at fullback. He deserves more time, but this is a critical moment for him to elevate his performance.

Ogden: I do not believe he is ready yet, but his current role suits both him and Chelsea. He serves as backup for Moisés Caicedo and Fernández, who both accumulate too many yellow cards, so he will see playing time. However, he is unlikely to feature in significant matches unless one of those players is injured or suspended.