New Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has delivered a significant fitness boost ahead of a crucial week, confirming that three key stars are poised to return for the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal.
Precautionary Absences Pay Off for Blues
Speaking after his successful debut in charge—a commanding 5-1 FA Cup third-round victory over Charlton Athletic at The Valley—Rosenior explained the absence of Malo Gusto, Cole Palmer, and club captain Reece James. The trio missed the Saturday fixture as a precautionary measure after picking up minor issues in the previous match against Fulham.
"Malo, Cole and Reece were precautionary today. I don't want to take any risks at this stage of the season," stated Rosenior. "They had minor tweaks or knocks from the Fulham game. And I feel like I've got such a good squad here. I don't need to risk their health at the moment."
All Systems Go for Arsenal Showdown
The manager's careful approach appears to have paid dividends. Rosenior indicated all three players are in good shape and should be available for selection for Wednesday night's high-stakes cup clash with London rivals Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
"We have a huge game on Wednesday," he added, referencing the semi-final first leg. "We have a huge game on Saturday [against Brentford]. And I'll check the medical reports tonight and tomorrow morning and see how they are then." The implication was clear: the priority is having his top talents fit for the pivotal encounter with Mikel Arteta's side.
Rosenior's Dream Start at Stamford Bridge
The injury news capped off an excellent first outing for the new Chelsea boss. Goals from Jorrel Hato, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto, and Enzo Fernandez secured a comprehensive win, despite a brief consolation from Charlton's Miles Leaburn.
Rosenior expressed his delight with the team's attitude and performance. "I was very happy with the attitude of the team, even in the first-half. This is not an easy place to come, third round of the FA Cup," he said. He praised the team's intense press and control of the game, highlighting the quality within his squad.
"I believe in this group. I believe in all of them. And if we want to have a really strong season, we need to use them (all)," Rosenior concluded, signalling his intent to rotate his squad effectively during a busy period that also includes Premier League and Champions League fixtures.
Chelsea's immediate focus now shifts entirely to the visit of Arsenal, with the expected return of Palmer, James, and Gusto providing a major lift for Rosenior as he prepares for his biggest test yet.
