Liam Rosenior is in the dugout for the first time as Chelsea manager on Saturday evening as his Blues era gets underway with a trip to Charlton Athletic in the third round of the FA Cup.
Confirmed earlier this week as Enzo Maresca’s replacement, Rosenior was in the stands to watch his new side take on Fulham in the Premier League. But Rosenior decided against taking charge of the match.
Now, the former Hull and Strasbourg manager takes the reins, appointing caretaker manager Calum McFarlane as his first-team coach. McFarlane had been working as the club’s U21 manager until now.
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A potential banana skin awaits Rosenior and his Chelsea side, as they take on a Charlton outfit struggling in the Championship following promotion under Nathan Jones. Rosenior has now picked his side.
Liam Rosenior makes eight changes as Chelsea face Charlton
A tricky first pick for the new manager, who will have been tempted to pick his strongest XI on Saturday night. He will have been keen to include the likes of Cole Palmer, Reece James and Enzo Fernandez.
But the clash against Charlton is the first of six games in the space of 18 days for Rosenior, with Chelsea next in action in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday. Balance was a necessity.
Especially, as Chelsea believe Rosenior will listen to the medical staff, unlike his predecessor Maresca. So, on that note, Rosenior has made eight changes to the side that were beaten by Fulham last time out.
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Eight changes in total!
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The changes made by Rosenior analysed and explained
What will have concerned Rosenior was Chelsea’s defensive fragility against Fulham. Robert Sanchez’s kicking was poor again, while Trevor Chalobah allowed Raul Jimenez to score Fulham’s opener.
In goal, Filip Jorgensen comes in, while Josh Acheampong plays on the right in place of Malo Gusto. Tosin remains, but Chalobah is replaced by Benoit Badiashile alongside him in the middle of Rosenior’s defence.
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One change is enforced in defence, with Marc Cucurella suspended for tonight’s clash. Jorrel Hato came on following Cucurella’s red at Fulham and the former Ajax man comes in from the start, tonight.
Andrey Santos was taken off early against Fulham, sacrificed due to the red. He gets another chance tonight to impress with Moises Caicedo, while Palmer, Fernandez, James and Pedro Neto are rested.
In come Alejandro Garnacho, on-loan Brighton star Facundo Buonanotte and Jamie Gittens in behind striker Marc Guiu, who replaces Liam Delap up top. Joao Pedro remains on the bench tonight.
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