‘A very good start!’ Rosenior reacts to opening victory as Chelsea head coach | OneFootball

Liam Rosenior was delighted with his winning start as Chelsea head coach as the Blues ran out convincing 5-1 winners over Championship side Charlton in the FA Cup.

Chelsea led 1-0 at half time but their Premier League class shone in the second period and they ended up making light work of their hosts.

Rosenior praised the attitude of his players but insisted there is still so much improvement to make, with Chelsea back in action in three days time against Arsenal in their Carabao Cup semi-final.

“I was very happy with the attitude of the team, even in the first-half,” he spoke post match. 

“This is not an easy place to come, third round of the FA Cup. I felt our press was very intense and really good. I felt we controlled the game, created a couple of chances from outside the box. 

“The goal came at a really good time. It was a fantastic finish from Hato. The game opens up second-half, and I felt some of the passages of play, we know we have outstanding players. 

“I was able to bring on some outstanding players from the bench. But I have to say I was delighted with the starting XI. I was delighted with the front three. I felt Ale [Garnacho] kept going in his one-v-ones.

He continued: “I think the biggest thing I challenged the players on was our reactions to setbacks, our intensity. Nothing tactical, nothing technical. These players are outstanding. They’ve been well coached before me.

“I was very happy with the togetherness and the spirit of the group today. I was very happy with the intensity that they ran at, winning duels, winning headers, all of the basics. And that’s where you get your joy from.”

Rosenior added that star players Cole Palmer and Reece James had suffered minor tweaks against Fulham and were not in the squad as a precaution.

“Malo, Cole and Reece were precautionary today. I don’t want to take any risks at this stage of the season,” he explained. 

“They had minor tweaks or knocks from the Fulham game. I feel like I’ve got such a good squad here. I don’t need to risk their health at the moment. 

“We have a huge game on Wednesday. We have a huge game on Saturday. And I’ll check the medical reports tonight and tomorrow morning and see how they are then.”