Liam Rosenior's Chelsea tenure began triumphantly with a resounding 5-1 victory over Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup third round at The Valley. The win propels the Blues into the fourth round of the competition. This result marks a positive start for Rosenior, who was appointed as the new head coach on January 6, 2026, replacing Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea's goals came from a diverse group of players, highlighting the squad's depth. Jorrel Hato opened the scoring with a stunning volley in first-half stoppage time. Tosin Adarabioyo doubled the lead shortly after the interval with a header from a Facundo Buonanotte free-kick. Charlton briefly threatened a comeback when Miles Leaburn, a former Chelsea academy player, scored from close range. However, Marc Guiu quickly restored Chelsea's two-goal advantage. Late goals from substitutes Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez, the latter from a penalty, sealed the comprehensive win.
Rosenior made eight changes to the team that lost to Fulham in the Premier League earlier in the week, opting to rest key players such as Cole Palmer, Reece James, and Malo Gusto as a precaution due to minor knocks. He explained that he did not want to risk their health with a busy schedule ahead, including a Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal and a Premier League match against Brentford. This decision provided opportunities for players like Hato and Guiu to shine. Rosenior praised Guiu's performance, highlighting his positioning and pressing.
The new Chelsea manager expressed his satisfaction with the team's attitude and intensity. He felt Chelsea controlled the game and praised the togetherness and spirit within the squad. Rosenior also acknowledged the quality of the players, stating they had been well-coached prior to his arrival. He emphasized the importance of resilience and consistency moving forward, given the hectic schedule.
While the victory offers a positive start for Rosenior, he acknowledged the bigger challenges ahead. Chelsea faces a sterner test against Arsenal in the League Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday. This match will provide a clearer indication of Rosenior's tactical approach and the team's ability to compete against top-tier opposition. Despite the comfortable win, some Chelsea fans expressed their dissatisfaction with the club's ownership, chanting the name of former owner Roman Abramovich and directing less complimentary chants towards co-owner Behdad Eghbali. Rosenior will need to impress both the ownership and the fans to create a successful environment at Stamford Bridge.
