New Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has made the stunning declaration that midfielder Moises Caicedo is the best in world football. The 41-year-old made the claim ahead of his first match in charge this weekend.
Rosenior's Bold Claim on Chelsea Stars
Speaking in an interview with TNT Sports, Rosenior did not hold back in his assessment of the talent at Stamford Bridge. He expressed immense respect for his new squad, singling out two key figures for particular praise.
'Enzo Fernandez has won the World Cup, what a fantastic player he is,' Rosenior said. 'For me, Moises Caicedo is the best midfield player in world football, in my opinion.'
The new boss, who takes charge of his first game away to Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, explained his deliberate approach to connecting with players he already knows, including Andrey Santos, Liam Delap, and Robert Sanchez.
Praise for Predecessor and Embracing the Challenge
Rosenior also had warm words for his predecessor, Enzo Maresca, who left the club last week after a reported breakdown with the hierarchy. He acknowledged the foundation laid by the Italian.
'I was watching the Club World Cup final as a fan, the performance against PSG,' Rosenior recalled. 'I have to say, I'm open enough, Enzo did a fantastic job here in certain ways.'
He admitted he does not know the exact circumstances that led to his appointment but sees a positive base to build upon. Rosenior highlighted recent performances with ten men against Fulham and versus Manchester City as evidence of the squad's spirit.
The manager is relishing the task of winning over the dressing room. 'It's a challenge for me, will they buy into me, will they believe in my message? I actually enjoy that,' he stated, calling it the first step to being a successful manager.
Positive First Impressions and FA Cup Focus
After two days of training with the squad, Rosenior's initial feelings have been reinforced. 'I'm walking into a really good group of lads,' he said, expressing confidence that the players will buy into his methods.
He also praised coach Calum McFarlane for his work in the short period since Maresca's departure. All focus now turns to Rosenior's managerial debut at The Valley on Saturday, where he will be hoping the world-class talent he believes he has at his disposal delivers a performance to match his lofty praise.
