Liam Rosenior makes bold Cole Palmer decision as Chelsea boss makes two changes vs Wolves

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Liam Rosenior has shuffled the pack for Chelsea's clash against Wolves at Molineux on Saturday afternoon.

13:49, 07 Feb 2026Updated 13:53, 07 Feb 2026

Liam Rosenior has made two changes to the starting lineup for Chelsea's clash against Wolves. Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto have replaced Liam Delap and Jorrel Hato from the side that lost 1-0 to Arsenal in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday night.

Palmer was brought off the bench during the second half of the tie at the Emirates Stadium, while Neto was left out after failing a late fitness test. The Blues duo now start against Rob Edwards' side; Mamadou Sarr, who was recalled from Strasbourg on deadline day, has been named on the bench.

Speaking to reporters at Cobham on Thursday afternoon, Rosenior explained how he and his coaching staff prepared for the game. The 41-year-old said: "We prepare in exactly the same way we prepare for any game that we play.

"I watched Rob's team recently. They actually put in a very good performance against Bournemouth. They were unfortunate not to get anything out of the game. I thought they played very, very well.

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"They put in some very positive performances in their last few games. The biggest thing for me, as the manager now with this group, I want to see a consistency in our levels of performance, of engagement, of intensity in every game that we play.

"For me, that's something I've spoken to the group about. The next game is the most important game and Wolves is another huge game for our season."

On whether he's getting closer to finding out his so-called 'best XI', Rosenior said: "I got asked this question, I can't remember, not long ago. I don't have a best XI. I don't think best XIs are the way that you go.

"You have a best starting team for a game. You have a best finishing team for a game. Obviously, I'm learning about the group all of the time, in every performance. Not just in games, but in every training session.

"The characters, they know the journey that I want to go on with this club and with them. I'm making assessments all the time on who's suitable for us to keep moving in the right direction."

On how the players reacted to Tuesday night's defeat to Arsenal in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, Rosenior said: "Yeah, a massive blow. We believed we could go through.

"The lads were devastated, and rightfully so, after the game in the dressing room. But I've spoken to them. You get setbacks in life. It's how you respond.

"The response in training today and in the meetings that we have had have been really positive. We have to now focus on the future, which is Wolves on Saturday."

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