“Freedom” is the word being used by some of the club’s most high-profile players to describe Liam Rosenior’s impact on Chelsea since he took charge just last month.
Following seven wins out of nine games, with some high-octane performances – especially after two comeback wins in the space of a week – the Blues have now climbed to fifth in the Premier League, just a point behind Manchester United in fourth, and a new narrative is taking hold at Stamford Bridge: the “uncaging” of the club’s most expensive talents.
“[Enzo] Maresca gave us an identity; he was good for all of us,” Fernandez told ESPN Argentina.
“With the arrival of the new coach [Liam Rosenior], there were changes; he gave each of us a lot of confidence, and we’re doing well. Things haven’t changed much; he just works differently, and we feel very good about achieving results and raising the level of play.
“The game plan didn’t change that much. Liam [Rosenior] gives us a bit more freedom in the final third, but we already had a foundation with [Enzo] Maresca. In the final meters, he gives us the freedom to express ourselves.”
These were the comments made by Chelsea’s vice-captain Enzo Fernandez after scoring a last-minute winner against West Ham United.
The Argentine, who has been a mainstay in the Blues midfield since signing from Benfica, has seen a dramatic resurgence in form under the “Rosenior Revolution”.
While Enzo Maresca’s tactical setup was frequently labelled “rigid” and “mechanical” by both fans and players, Rosenior has instead emphasised enthusiasm and intensity — a shift that was clearly visible in last week’s 3–1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
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Cole Palmer, who has missed a chunk of this season after suffering a groin injury, was thrown into the starting 11 against Wolves, and after 38 minutes, had made history.
The Englishman set a historic record by becoming the first player in English football history to score three separate hat-tricks in the first half of a match, and in his post-match interview, Palmer was full of praise for his new boss and the immediate impact that he has had at Chelsea.
“Life under Liam is amazing, he gives us all confidence,” he began.
“He lets us be ourselves and play freely. So, I’m sure when I’m back properly fit, you’ll see the best of me.”
“He and all the staff give us confidence on the training pitch, and with the strategies in the way we play. I’m really liking it.”
Cole Palmer, who struggled with consistency earlier in the season under the previous rigid regime, has flourished instantly under the new leadership.
Reflecting on the positives of Palmer gradually overcoming his injury, the manager publicly stated: “Palmer loves playing football, and I love watching him… I want him to enjoy his football.”
This newfound freedom has not only rewritten the record books but might have also reignited the Blues’ season, and continues to show the positives of Liam Rosenior’s impact on Chelsea.
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In terms of being allowed to freely express themselves, one might have to agree.
A section of Chelsea supporters believes that, as effective as Maresca was, he was not entirely suited to Chelsea’s recruitment model or the profile of players at his disposal, which is why Liam Rosenior’s impact on Chelsea has been so notable.
Even in the Roman Abramovich era, Chelsea’s sporting directors rarely signed players purely because they fit a manager’s system. Instead, players were primarily recruited based on their talent and potential.
In that sense, Chelsea needed a coach capable of shaping his system around the strengths of his squad — and that is arguably what Rosenior is beginning to do.
The problem with Maresca, from the board’s perspective, was that his system — while impressive — could never be fully optimised because the squad was not built specifically for it.
At the same time, the players’ individual qualities were also somewhat restricted by a structure that did not naturally suit them, effectively “caging” their freedom.
This mismatch inevitably affected confidence, led to frustration within the squad, and contributed to inconsistent performances — particularly against low blocks, which often require individual creativity and freedom to break down.
It is entirely reasonable to believe that Maresca is a top coach while still feeling that he was not the ideal fit for Chelsea.
Likewise, one can acknowledge his quality while also arguing that Rosenior may be better suited to this current squad of world champions.
The improved performances of players like Palmer, João Pedro, Enzo Fernández, and Andrey Santos since Maresca’s departure — along with public comments from key players — highlight Liam Rosenior’s impact on Chelsea.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO/APL
Recording Date: 10.02.2026
