Liam Rosenior’s first week as Chelsea boss concluded with a 2-3 defeat to Arsenal in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge.
Ben White and Viktor Gyökeres had put the Gunners in control before Alejandro Garnacho halved the deficit, and while Martin Zubimendi restored Arsenal’s two-goal lead just before the hour mark, a second goal from Garnacho secured a respectable result for the Blues.
“I’m never happy to lose a game of football, of course,” Rosenior explained post-match, “but I saw an energy, I saw a determination, and I saw an intensity.”
“I want us to be known as a team that never gives up, that will run, that will fight, that will press,” the 41-year-old continued. “I feel our press in the first half was very good, but ultimately we conceded from a set play, and that’s something that we need to work on.”
Notably absent from Rosenior’s matchday squad was Cole Palmer. “Hopefully, he’ll be available to train on Friday and hopefully be ready for us on Saturday,” the Chelsea boss explained as attention turned to the upcoming Premier League meeting with Brentford.
“He had a little, minor strain in his thigh, and if you play a player too early in January with a minor strain, it can turn into six weeks [unavailable]. I can’t afford to lose Cole Palmer for six weeks, because he’s too good.”
Elsewhere, Rosenior noted that Reece James “had a big knock on his hip [that] was too sore for him today, so hopefully he’ll be back for Saturday.”
Two other stars were absent with Rosenior citing “dangerously high” temperatures. “Jamie Gittens was ill last night; Liam Delap was due to play but was ill four hours before the game,” he explained.
“I want to keep the ill players away from the group so it doesn’t spread, but I felt the energy levels of my group today were a really, really positive thing.”
“I’m very encouraged by a lot of things I saw today. I’m not happy to lose any game, but in terms of a building block for Saturday [against Brentford], there are a lot of things I can show the players that they can keep improving.”