Rosenior explains why he had to break his usual pattern for Arsenal game | OneFootball

Liam Rosenior was reflective in the press conference after last night’s defeat to Arsenal.

He pointed out that his team had been forced into last minute changes – to the degree that he had to break his usual habits in terms of naming a team.

Rosenior reveals how late fitness questions threw usual setup off

Chelsea’s team to face Napoli. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)

“We’ve had a lot to contend with the last couple of days, a couple of fitness tests this morning,” Rosenior revealed, speaking of Pedro Neto and Reece James where were rather mysteriously left out.

“Normally I name the team the day before. I named the team this afternoon when I had the full details of who was available. I have to give the players so much credit.

“Our schedule has been incredible. So for them, to put in the energy, the fight, the spirit was there. But unfortunately for us, we didn’t quite have the quality moments that we did get into the final four many times in the second half, but we didn’t take advantage of those moments.”

In answer to another question he also noted that he had had major issues for the first leg too – namely the nasty sickness bug which swept through the squad last month.

In any case, we should be looking in far better shape come this weekend, and we’ve got a pretty juicy opposition to take on in the form of Wolves.

In other news…

Wesley Fofana is now our highest rated player for the season statistically, overtaking even the impressive Moises Caicedo and reminding us all of how good the defender is.

Chelsea are gambling on the fitness of Romeo Lavia for the rest of this season after not adding another central midfielder in January. Dario Essugo may not be back until March.