Chelsea's New Direction Raises Doubts Over Ambition
The appointment of Liam Rosenior has sparked questions about Chelsea's direction, ambitions and the board's expectations for the coming years.
There is not much reason to be cheerful about the new Chelsea manager, as aside from being a yes man to the Owners, it feels like the club's ambitions have been lowered under the new ownership. Liam Rosenior is nowhere near the manager Enzo Maresca is, at least in terms of pedigree and tactical profile.
A long contract with big pressure
Reports that Rosenior has been offered a six year contract raises eyebrows. It brings back the memory of Raheem Sterling's long term deal, which has been effectively hung around the club's neck. It is difficult to see Rosenior lasting half of that period, even if things go well, such is the volatility surrounding the role.
The handling of Maresca
The suggestion that one or two signings might arrive this window adds to the frustration. Had Maresca been given similar backing, it could have been better for all parties. Instead, because he pushed for change the board did not want, he has been made a scapegoat. In my opinion, Maresca was a success at Chelsea regardless of biases, and he looked like a coach operating at elite level. It would be no surprise if he ends up replacing Pep Guardiola at Manchester City in the future.
Expectations and uncertainty
The claim that results were not good enough is questionable for a club close to the top four in January. With Maresca, we likely would have finished in the top four. With Rosenior, who knows. If he maintains Maresca's structure, then a top four finish is possible, similar to how Arne Slot finished strongly at Liverpool using Jurgen Klopp's template.
There is always hesitation over English managers in this role at Chelsea, as many feel they are overhyped by the media and lack the tactical refinement needed at the top level.
Rosenior's track record
Rosenior was assistant to Wayne Rooney at Derby, where the football was poor, he has been sacked by Hull City and didn't win the last 5 games with Strasbourg. Now he steps into one of the most pressure ridden jobs in English football. He will be given fairness until there are reasons to criticise, but confidence is understandably low as this new project begins.
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