Liam Rosenior's first big Chelsea gamble pays off in fight for Champions League | OneFootball

Decision to drop Robert Sanchez proves Rosenior can get big decisions right

As Liam Rosenior sat post-match, raking in the adulation for Chelsea’s come-from-behind victory away to Aston Villa, there was a sense he was the calmest man in the room.

‘What were you all worried about?’ seemed to be the message as he batted away accusations that his side had been feeling the pressure heading into their trip to Villa Park.

Not once had it crossed his mind that defeat to Unai Emery’s men would have left Chelsea nine points behind one of their main rivals in the race for Champions League qualification.

Rosenior has so far stood up well to criticism and last night was perhaps his most impressive victory. His biggest win as a Premier League manager and masterminded entirely on his terms.

He rang the changes, making the first big call of his Chelsea tenure by dropping goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to the bench and also bringing in Alejandro Garnacho, Malo Gusto and Wesley Fofana to great effect.

Joao Pedro scored a hat-trick at Villa Park

Chelsea FC via Getty Images

The decision to drop Sanchez took everyone by surprise, but Rosenior stood firm. Never in his managerial career has he operated with a first-choice goalkeeper.

His bold call was backed up by a sturdy performance from Jorgensen, who banished the demons of last season’s mistake at Villa Park by saving well from Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins to give Chelsea a platform for an emphatic win.

Rosenior’s call was vindicated and, in doing so, he continued to prove he has what it takes to guide Chelsea to Champions League qualification.

The former Strasbourg boss faced plenty of criticism after last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal made it three league games without a win.

His reaction to that blip was emphatic, taking issues around discipline and defensive set-pieces into his own hands. But it should come as no surprise.

Rosenior has already shown, as he did in making a triple change at half-time with his side 2-0 down at home to West Ham, that he is prepared to make big decisions if he feels it is necessary.

Despite his characterisation as a student of the game, Rosenior is no wallflower. He has the authority and clarity of mind to manage Chelsea’s young and often impetuous dressing room.

Unflinching in his principles, Chelsea’s players will draw confidence from the command he exudes on the touchline.

In a Champions League run-in that Rosenior knows has twists and turns to come, he has proven himself capable of standing up to the pressure.