Liam Rosenior has been working hard to ensure Chelsea return to winning ways this weekend, with a piece of major silverware up for grabs.
Liam Rosenior during Chelsea training session at Cobham(Image: Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Liam Rosenior has been putting his players through their paces ahead of Chelsea’s clash against Port Vale. The Blues will lock horns with the League One outfit at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening as they each look to seal a place in the FA Cup semi-final.
Chelsea have lost each of their last four games across all competitions, so Rosenior will be determined to return to winning ways. Having crashed out of the UEFA Champions League just before the international break, the west Londoners have no other chance to win a piece of silverware this season.
Speaking to reporters on Friday morning, the Blues boss commented on the importance of winning a trophy. Rosenior said: “Yeah, we want to win. It’s not about me, I’ve said that before.
“It’s not about me winning silverware. It’s about this club being successful now and in the long term. And to do that, you have to go through difficult moments. You learn a lot about the characters in your group.
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“And I’m talking about the characters, not just in the playing staff, but the support staff, coaching staff, myself. You have to go through these processes, this pain, to make sure you make good decisions moving forward.”
So, with that being said, football.london has looked at five things you may have missed as Rosenior welcomed those who reported for international duty back to Cobham training ground.
OPINION
Rosenior finds Fernandez replacement
Rosenior appears to have already found a replacement for Fernandez. During one particular drill, Romeo Lavia was one of only two players seen wearing a bright orange bib, while everybody else either wore yellow or went without.
The Chelsea midfielder may have been the designated ‘magic man’, which is a role that grants a player the freedom to play on the team in possession during a drill or small-sided game. By introducing the rule, it creates a numerical advantage, encouraging snapping passing, quick decision-making and clever movement into pockets of space.
With Fernandez set to miss the next two games, the Blues will need to find someone with just as much quality in the build-up phase, as well as his output in the final-third. As a holding midfielder, it’s unlikely Lavia will suddenly be expected to play a more advanced role; he will, however, be expected to grab games by the scruff of the neck and control possession.
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Mystery Chelsea player spotted
Marc Cucurella posed for a picture after winning a small-sided game at Cobham. He was joined by Alejandro Garnacho, Jorrel Hato, Tosin Adarabioyo, Dario Essugo, Liam Delap, and a goalkeeper which Chelsea never formally unveiled.
The mystery shot-stopper in question is James Hillson, who’s been on the Blues’ books since last summer. The 25-year-old, who, according to his LinkedIn profile, holds a UEFA B Coaching Licence, spent about six years at Arsenal before being released.
Last season, Hillson featured four times for Salisbury in the National League South. It’s not the first time he’s been spotted in Chelsea training, having seemingly taken up a role as a goalkeeper coach at Cobham.
Marc Cucurella poses with mystery Chelsea goalkeeper in training
Rosenior builds Palmer and Pedro chemistry
On two separate occasions, Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro were on the same team during a drill, suggesting that Rosenior wants to build their chemistry ahead of the run-in.
If Chelsea are to qualify for the UEFA Champions League this season, the duo will have to play key roles.
Every word Liam Rosenior said on Enzo Fernandez ban, bombshell comments and brutal Chelsea decisionChelsea get triple injury boost as Liam Rosenior offers five-player updateColwill returns to full Chelsea training
Levi Colwill returned to full training over the international break.
The Chelsea defender, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury at the very start of pre-season, could provide the stability the backline needs to finish the season strongly.
Estevao rebuilds match fitness
Estevao Willian has been rebuild his fitness following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The Chelsea winger, who wasn’t named in the Brazil squad, marked his long-awaited return to action with a positive cameo appearance in the defeat to Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.