“We really wanted” – Liam Rosenior reveals why he played Liam Delap on the right wing vs Arsenal | OneFootball

Liam Rosenior has revealed he played Liam Delap on the right wing against Arsenal because he wanted to match their physicality.

Delap arrived from Ipswich last summer after the Blues activated his £30m release clause after Ipswich got relegated.

The England under-21 international has had his season disrupted by injury, but has struggled to make an impact at Stamford Bridge.

Liam Rosenior on why he played Liam Delap right wing vs Arsenal

Delap has scored twice in 21 appearances, with his only goal in the Premier League coming in the defeat against Fulham.

Joao Pedro is currently ahead of him in the pecking order, and the Brazil international has scored in each of the last three league games.

Delap has struggled to make an impact this season. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Rosenior started both Pedro and Delap in the defeat to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, with the Englishman finding himself on the right wing.

Gabby Agbonlahor claimed Delap looked lost in that position, and Rosenior has revealed his thinking behind the decision.

“We really wanted to match Arsenal’s physicality at home,” he told Chelsea’s website.

“If you look at [Piero] Hincapie, the two centre-backs, [Jurrien] Timber or whoever plays, they’re beasts and they’re strong.

“So, we wanted to be able to mix it up with them physically. I’ve worked with Liam before and he’s played for me on the right and been outstanding there.

“His position is a number nine, but I like to use players in different positions.”

Chelsea light in the wide areas

Rosenior also admitted the decision was partly down to Chelsea’s lack of option in the wide areas, with Jamie Gittens and Pedro Neto both injured.

“I’ve used Garna (Alejandro Garnacho) as a second pocket, I’ve used Pedro (Neto) as a winger in the pocket, Cole (Palmer) as a wide player in the pocket.

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“I like to have players who can play different roles.

“Also, we didn’t have many players available. Everyone says it was a decision, but of our wingers Jamie Gittens was out, Pedro Neto wasn’t available, Garna mainly operates off the left, and Estevao had been in Brazil for the correct reason.

“There are so many things that go into it and I thought Liam acquitted himself really well in that game.”