‘I was really surprised that Liam Rosenior didn’t take charge of Chelsea for loss vs Fulham’
Liam Rosenior watched on from the stands as his new Chelsea team were beaten 2-1 away at Fulham on Wednesday night.
Raul Jimenez put the hosts ahead shortly after half-time, before a close-range Liam Delap strike drew the visitors onto level terms against their West London rivals in the 72nd minute.
Chelsea were forced to play much of the game with 10 men after Marc Cucurella’s early red card, and the hosts’ numerical advantage eventually told when Harry Wilson’s goal secured the points for Fulham in the 81st minute.
Interim boss Calum McFarlane helped Chelsea to snatch a point away at Manchester City last weekend, but they were unable to repeat the feat in midweek, leaving their new boss with plenty to ponder over.
Danny Murphy amazed by Liam Rosenior decision
Rosenior arrived as Chelsea boss, but he opted against taking the reins for the midweek clash at Craven Cottage.
Nevertheless, the 41-year-old was in the stands to watch his new charges in their latest outing, but he would have been frustrated to see a defeat that has now left the Blues winless in their last five Premier League games.
Chelsea have now slipped to eighth with their latest defeat, leaving the former Hull City boss with plenty of work to do if he is to lead the team to Champions League qualification at the end of the season.
Rosenior’s decision to watch from the stands was not completely unusual, but Danny Murphy was still shocked by the fact that he didn’t take the opportunity to get his hands on the team straight away.
The former Liverpool star was asked by Match of the Day presenter Mark Chapman during Wednesday’s show whether he was surprised by the fact that Rosenior didn’t get involved in midweek, and his response was clear.
“I was really surprised,” Murphy said.
“He (Rosenior) didn’t have enough time to do a session and do tactics, but even your words, your motivation and certain things you talk about with your players can be so important in the dressing room before a game.
“I thought he’d be chomping at the bit to get in there, get with the lads and just implement some ideas and thoughts.”
Chelsea already have Rosenior transfer plan for January
Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Chelsea will not make “lots of money” available for Rosenior in January, with the expectation that he will work with what is already in the building in the early stages of his reign.
Todd Boehly and Co. feel that there is already enough quality within the group to compete at the top end of the Premier League table and ensure the club’s goals are met at the end of the campaign.
That may come as a source of frustration for Rosenior, who will be keen to ensure he gives himself the best chance of proving himself as quickly as possible in the top flight.
The Chelsea job is a clear step up for him from his previous role at Strasbourg, and he is sure to be under scrutiny from the very beginning.
He is set to step into the dugout for the first time in Saturday’s FA Cup visit to Charlton Athletic, and it’s fair to say that all eyes will be on him throughout the evening.