Predictions
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior was understandably pleased after guiding the Blues to a convincing 5-1 FA Cup victory over Charlton Athletic, but the new boss was quick to downplay any early excitement following his first match in charge.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the final whistle, Rosenior praised his players’ professionalism, highlighted key individual performances, and stressed that this was only the beginning of a long journey.
“A Good Start, Very Professional”
Rosenior felt the match hinged on Chelsea’s opening goal, which arrived just before half-time through a stunning Jorrel Hato volley.
“It’s a good start, very professional,” Rosenior said.
“I think our first goal came at a crucial moment in the match, and it was a brilliant strike from Jorrel Hato.”
The Chelsea head coach was impressed by the overall quality on display, but remained grounded in his assessment.
“The quality of my players’ play was outstanding. A confident start, a foundation from which to build,” he added, before jokingly turning his attention to the next fixture.
“And on Wednesday evening, we have a ‘very small’ match ahead!”
That comment was, of course, a tongue-in-cheek reference to Chelsea’s upcoming derby clash with Arsenal.
Special Praise for Marc Guiu
One player singled out by Rosenior was Marc Guiu, who came off the bench to score Chelsea’s third goal and swing the momentum firmly back in the visitors’ favour.
“Goals change the course of games, and it comes down to individual skill,” Rosenior explained.
“I have a fantastic squad, and I’m happy with the starters. I think Marc Guiu was fantastic; he deserved his goal.”
Despite the emphatic scoreline, Rosenior was keen to strike a cautious tone.
“There’s a lot of positives, but it’s too early to get too excited.”
Tactical Risks Pay Off
Rosenior also addressed his decision to deploy players in unfamiliar roles — a gamble that paid dividends, particularly in the case of Jorrel Hato.
“I was delighted with Jorrel because he had a different role,” he said.
“He played as a number 10, like Marc Cucurella did in the past, and he scored a goal, which was a great performance.”
The coach also praised the defensive unit and several younger players who impressed at The Valley.
“I’m also pleased with Tosin and big Ben in defence. Young Josh Acheampong is full of potential — I’m really happy for them.”
Looking Ahead
With a demanding run of fixtures on the horizon, Rosenior was encouraged by how quickly the squad has adapted to his ideas.
“We have a busy two months ahead. The guys have been very responsive to our demands, and I’m grateful for that,” he concluded.
“If we continue to work like this, I’m excited about our future.”
Fixtures and Results
Transfers
Injuries
Chelsea Academy
Chelsea Women