The difference between Liam Rosenior and Enzo Maresca at Chelsea is becoming clearer with every match, and it starts with how the ball moves.
Under Maresca, Chelsea were often criticised for slow ball circulation, predictable build-up, and a lack of tempo. The team frequently struggled to move the ball quickly through midfield, which allowed opponents to stay compact. As a result, Chelsea’s wingers were constantly crowded out, forced to operate in tight spaces with little freedom.
Since Rosenior’s arrival, that picture has changed. Softfootball has observed a much quicker passing rhythm, with sharper transitions and significantly more movement in midfield. The midfielders now rotate and create angles, giving the wingers breathing space and clearer attacking options. Chelsea look less static and far more fluid in possession.
Another major shift is intensity and aggression. Under Rosenior, Chelsea press higher, compete harder for second balls, and play with visible energy. Crucially, the team now maintains that intensity across both halves. Where performances previously dropped off after halftime under Maresca, Rosenior’s side shows consistency, sustaining tempo and focus from start to finish.
Chelsea’s decision to move on from Maresca came on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026, following a breakdown in relations with the club and a poor run of form—just one win in seven Premier League games, leaving the Blues 15 points behind league leaders Arsenal.
On January 6, 2026, Chelsea appointed Rosenior on a six-and-a-half-year deal. He officially began working with the squad after the Fulham match on January 7, and his impact was immediate. In his first game in charge, Rosenior guided Chelsea to a dominant 5–1 away victory over Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup third round.
Early signs suggest Chelsea are rediscovering tempo, structure, and belief under Rosenior—qualities that were increasingly absent during Maresca’s reign.
