Chelsea Legend Ruud Gullit Questions Rosenior's Tactical Decisions
Former Chelsea manager and club icon Ruud Gullit has voiced significant concerns about Liam Rosenior's managerial choices following Chelsea's Carabao Cup semi-final elimination at the hands of Arsenal. The Blues' 1-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night, resulting in a 4-2 aggregate loss, has sparked debate about the team's approach under their new boss.
A Defensive Setup That Backfired
In an attempt to overturn a 3-2 first-leg deficit, Rosenior opted for a cautious, safety-first strategy that involved deploying a back five. While this formation aimed to neutralise Arsenal's attacking threat, it ultimately left Chelsea impotent in attack, failing to register meaningful pressure on one of Europe's most disciplined defences.
The tactical shift proved particularly challenging for summer signing Liam Delap, who was reportedly left "unhappy" with his role. The £30 million recruit, traditionally a centre-forward, was tasked with playing out of position on the right wing to specifically mark Arsenal's left-back, Piero Hincapie.
Delap's Frustration and Isolated Attack
"Liam Delap was not happy with starting on the right wing against Arsenal," Gullit revealed in an interview with Gambling Insider. "It's clear that Liam Rosenior played him there so they could launch long balls to him, but he looked totally out of place."
Gullit elaborated that Delap's strengths lie in attacking the penalty area, not in dropping deep or operating in wide areas. The Dutch pundit suggested that pairing Delap more closely with striker Joao Pedro could have benefited both players, instead of leaving the Brazilian isolated upfront.
"If you get the ball into the box, then Delap will do his best to get on the end of it, but when you're asking him to drop deeper into midfield or out wide, then it's a different story," Gullit explained. Delap's difficult evening was cut short when he was substituted after just sixty minutes, having made minimal attacking impact.
Lack of Creativity and Brave Decision-Making
Gullit was critical of Chelsea's overall lack of adventure and creativity during the crucial cup tie. He acknowledged Rosenior's rationale for a defensive setup away from home but emphasised its ultimate failure.
"I understood Liam Rosenior's setup to try and not concede for as long as possible away from home, but there was no creativity throughout the match – nothing at all," Gullit stated. "Chelsea took too long to be brave against Arsenal last night."
He noted that the introduction of substitutes Cole Palmer and Estevao provided a slight improvement, but attributed this partly to Arsenal withdrawing as the game progressed. Chelsea's inability to generate significant chances or shots on target was a defining feature of their exit.
Rosenior's Post-Match Reflection and Context
The defeat marked the first major setback of Rosenior's nascent reign, ending a promising five-match winning streak. In his post-match comments, the manager provided context for the first-leg loss and struck a philosophical note.
"In the first leg, I'm not making excuses, but we had an illness go through the camp on the day of the game – we had four players missing – and I'd been in charge for three days," Rosenior said. He praised his players' application and intensity while acknowledging the need for continued development.
"What we need to do is remember this is the start and I'm really, really happy with a lot of things I'm seeing," he added, emphasising a focus on recovery and incremental improvement.
However, Gullit's analysis suggests that the tactical decisions made for the second leg, particularly regarding player roles and attacking intent, have raised early questions about Rosenior's approach in high-stakes matches. The episode highlights the delicate balance between defensive solidity and offensive threat at the elite level of English football.
