Liam Rosenior has now been in charge for a little over a month, and the early signs suggest Chelsea have made a sensible decision.
Chelsea had gone a month without a league win when Rosenior took over. Enzo Maresca’s time at Stamford Bridge had become shaky, not helped by his public comments and an ever-growing injury list.
Since the 2-1 loss to Fulham, he’s guided Chelsea to eight wins from 11 matches across all competitions. The Blues are back in the top-four picture and already through to the Champions League last 16.
The only setbacks came against Arsenal – first a 3-2 defeat at home, then another narrow loss in the Carabao Cup second leg, where Kai Havertz scored late as Chelsea chased the game. All things considered, it’s been a positive introduction.
Liam Rosenior’s first conversation with Moises Caicedo made a lasting impression
One approach that has become noticeable is Rosenior’s regular use of individual meetings. He even joked that Joao Pedro must be getting tired of seeing the inside of his office, given how often they sit down to talk.
Caicedo mentioned in an interview with Chelsea’s website that he met with Rosenior on day one. That conversation seems to have left an impression, as the midfielder has been playing like one of the top players in his position since then.
“The first day he came in, I had a meeting with him. We talked about myself because he watched a lot of our games, especially me. So for sure, he wants to help me to become an even better player,” he said.
“That’s why he came here. It’s so good to hear because it helps you to keep doing well and improving. He wants the best for you. I’m trying every day, every game, to show why he said I’m one of the best players.”
Claude Makelele’s thoughts on Moises Caicedo
During Jose Mourinho’s time at Chelsea, Claude Makelele was often seen as the unsung hero. He made life easier for his defenders and helped supply players like Frank Lampard further up the pitch.
It’s a role that older players often fill as they slow down physically, but what many people overlook is just how much football intelligence it demands.
The term “Makelele role” came about because of how influential he was in that position. But even Makelele has been so impressed with Caicedo that he feels the Ecuadorian deserves to have the role named after him.
“I think it is the ‘Caicedo role’ now. With Caicedo, I love this boy. He’s humble and hard-working. I talked with him before he arrived at Chelsea and he told me I was his example,” Makelele said last summer.
Looking ahead, Caicedo and his teammates will be focused on their upcoming match against Burnley. Paul Merson believes it’s a must-win game for Chelsea, predicting a 3-0 result, especially considering the tough fixtures that follow.
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