Liam Rosenior‘s tenure as Chelsea head coach faces sharp criticism this week. Pundits suggest he’s putting on an “act,” drawing comparisons to former manager Graham Potter. This accusation follows observations that Rosenior’s behavior at Chelsea “doesn’t look right” to some.
Rosenior took over from Enzo Maresca. Under him, Chelsea has an impressive unbeaten record against non-Arsenal opponents across league and cup competitions. But a recent draw and cup exits have fueled skepticism.
Performance Under Pressure: Results and Accusations
Chelsea’s recent form under Rosenior presents a mixed picture. They thrashed Hull City 4-0 in the FA Cup fourth round. Pedro Neto netted a hat-trick, Liam Delap provided three assists, and Estevao added a goal. This win sets up an away tie at Wrexham in the fifth round.
However, the Blues squandered a two-goal lead in a 2-2 Premier League draw against Leeds. Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer scored, but Leeds fought back with goals from Lukas Nmecha and Noah Okafor. This marked the first time Rosenior’s side dropped points against a non-Arsenal opponent.
“It doesn’t look right” – Liam Rosenior accused of putting on an ‘act’ at Chelsea as Graham Potter comparison made, Goal.com reported. Pundits Jamie Carragher and Wayne Rooney apparently discussed this.
The Carabao Cup semi-final saw Chelsea exit after losing both legs to Arsenal. So, while Chelsea is unbeaten against everyone else, the big tests against top-tier rivals remain a hurdle.
Attack Sharp, Defense Vulnerable?
Rosenior has been in charge for 10 or 11 games since Maresca left. Chelsea currently sits fifth in the Premier League, just one point behind Manchester United. Their attack certainly seems to be firing.
The team scored 28 goals in these 11 matches. Nine of those came against lower-division sides Charlton and Hull in the FA Cup. But the numbers also hint at a deeper issue.
Chelsea’s transition defense shows weakness. Opponents average 0.21 xG per shot in the league phase, placing Chelsea 35th in that metric. It was similar under Rosenior; Arsenal recorded 0.27 xG per shot over their two League Cup legs. This suggests Chelsea’s attacking prowess might be masking defensive frailties.
Sky Sports recently posed the question: “Chelsea: Has Liam Rosenior really made ‘clear change’ since replacing Enzo Maresca or are Blues still stuck in old ways?” The Leeds draw brought some of those old concerns back into focus. Cole Palmer’s scoring form has improved, which is a positive for the club.
The Elephant in the Room: Potter’s Shadow and Future Tests
The comparison to Graham Potter is a heavy one for any Chelsea manager. Potter struggled to win over the fanbase, with questions about his demeanor and tactical approach. For Rosenior to face similar accusations so early is a worrying sign.
ESPN noted, “Since hiring Liam Rosenior… Chelsea are unbeaten against teams not named Arsenal.” This stat highlights the progress, but also the specific challenge Arsenal posed. That Leeds draw, throwing away a two-goal advantage, felt like a step backward for momentum.
The FA Cup win against Hull City had an unfortunate footnote. Hull City issued a statement regarding arrests made for discriminatory chanting during the match. PA warnings were given at the 45th minute and half-time, a sad reminder that some issues transcend the game itself.
Chelsea faces a crucial period. The unbeaten run against most teams is good, but dropping points against Leeds after leading 2-0 suggests consistency remains a challenge. Rosenior needs to prove these accusations are unfounded. The upcoming fixtures will show if his Chelsea side has truly turned a corner, or if old habits are tough to shake.
