Palmer will love him: Chelsea looking to hire “one of the best coaches ever”
In a quick turn of events, Chelsea and Enzo Maresca have parted ways.
The Blues’ form has certainly declined in recent weeks, and they have gone from being talked up as “a finished product and title contender” by ESPN’s Bill Connolly to languishing in fifth place, a massive 15 points off 1st.
The West Londoners only won twice in December, with one of those victories coming against League One Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup. It has certainly been an underwhelming month, to say the least.
It now seems that the club’s directors could decide to part ways with the Italian and might well have a replacement lined up.
Chelsea identify potential Maresca replacement
Reports this week regarding Maresca’s Chelsea future intensified. On Thursday morning it was announced that the Italian would not see in any of 2026 with the team. Both player and club reportedly agreed that a parting of the ways would be beneficial.
As it happens, they have already made plans which will set into motion the act of finding his replacement.
That manager could well be more closely linked to the club than you might expect.
According to a report from journalist Si Phillips, the most likely replacement is Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior, who Phillips says is the ‘only’ person he can see getting the job.
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Those claims have been backed up by many, including Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol who reports that “Rosenior is one of a handful of candidates who will be considered as a replacement.” Solhekol expects Chelsea “to announce a new head coach in a matter of days.”
French side Strasbourg are a fellow BlueCo side, so it would make acquiring the Englishman a lot easier because of the strong link between the two clubs.
It is unclear how much Chelsea would have to pay to appoint Rosenior, but because of their relationship with Strasbourg, the required compensation might well be less.
Why Rosenior would be a good hire for Chelsea
Former Hull City manager Rosenior has certainly left a huge impression on Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg during his time at the club.
Last term, he guided them to seventh in the league, helping them reach the Conference League, a competition which Chelsea, of course, are the holders of.
Overall, his record at Le Racing is impressive. In 62 matches across all competitions, the London-born manager has guided his side to 32 wins, at a win rate of 51.61%, and has lost on just 17 occasions. It is easy to see why he was described as “one of the brightest young managers” by Hull fan and podcast host Ant Northgraves.
There is a real emphasis on possession-based football under Rosenior. This season, his side have averaged 52.6% possession per 90 minutes, which ranks them joint 31st amongst all of Europe’s big five leagues, and seventh for clubs in the top flight of France.
This aligns well with Chelsea’s philosophy. Phillips explained that the two-time European champions have “a club-wide ideology to play possession-based football only.” The fact that Rosenior has turned Strasbourg into a possession-dominant side bodes well in that sense.
Someone who might profit from the appointment of Rosenior is Chelsea’s talisman, Cole Palmer. It has been a frustrating campaign for the Wythenshawe-born superstar, who has struggled with injury and has only played eight Premier League games.
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His impact this season has certainly not been felt as much as in previous campaigns due to the interruptions. Palmer has three goals across all competitions, and Maresca has not given him a full 90 minutes since his return to fitness. That has not gone down well with Blues fans.
Rosenior’s potential appointment could change this. There is no doubt about it, Palmer is one of the best players in the Premier League in the final third. Last term, he averaged 2.45 key passes per 90 minutes, and it was higher in 2023/24, at 2.48 each game.
Palmer key stats in 2 full PL seasons for Chelsea
Stat (per 90)
2023/24
2024/25
Key passes
2.48
2.45
Passes into final third
4.68
4.6
Goals and assists
1.13
0.65
Shot-creating actions
5.57
5.7
Goal-creating actions
0.89
0.42
Stats from FBref
Looking at those numbers, it is easy to see how the England star would benefit from Rosenior’s possession-based football. Get him on the ball enough and make him the pivotal figure in attack, and he will produce.
Under Mauricio Pochettino, he was averaging 60 touches per game, but that regressed to just 52 under Maresca. Chelsea’s potential new manager must get that stat higher to have the best impact.
Not just an intelligent manager, but “one of the best coaches ever” on the training pitch in the words of pundit Clinton Morrison, it might not just be Palmer who benefits.
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