2 days ago
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Liam Rosenior has taken his first training session as Chelsea head coach ahead of this weekend's FA Cup third round tie against Championship side Charlton Athletic
Liam Rosenior took his first Chelsea training session on Thursday afternoon ahead of his debut in the dugout against Charlton Athletic on Saturday night.
The newly-appointed Blues head coach watched on from the stands on Wednesday evening as his side were beaten at the hands of Fulham. Calum McFarlane took charge of that one on an interim basis, and the game before against Manchester City, and the Under-21s boss has now moved into a new role, becoming Rosenior's assistant at Stamford Bridge.
Following the defeat to Fulham, the reins have now been handed over to Rosenior. The 41-year-old took his first training session as Chelsea boss, although it was was not a proper one because those who played significant minutes on Wednesday night spent the time inside at the club's training base in Cobham doing some recovery work.
So, with all of this being said, football.london has taken a close look at the images provided for Rosenior's first session. Here are some of the main talking points:
Instilling his style
Rosenior is a very hands-on coach, like Enzo Maresca, and that can be seen with some of the photos released by the club on Thursday. It was seemingly all smiles from Rosenior, who is getting to know the squad he has inherited, but there are a few images of him barking instructions at the players.
While there are similarities between Rosenior and Maresca's respective playing styles, there will too be subtle differences that the players will have to adapt to. Rosenior will not have much time to work with his new squad before the Blues go to Charlton on Saturday.
It is a race against time for the newly-appointed head coach to try and instil his style and way of thinking into his new players. It may well take some time, but it was straight down to business on Thursday afternoon in Surrey.
Mheuka involved
Shim Mheuka has been in spectacular form for the club's Under-21s this season. The 18-year-old striker has already netted 13 goals for Chelsea's Development Squad this term and also made an appearance for the senior side in the Carabao Cup.
With Rosenior set to make wholesale changes in the FA Cup third round tie on Saturday, Mheuka will be desperate to be involved in some fashion, most likely from the bench. Mheuka was involved in Rosenior's first training session as Chelsea head coach and will be eager to make a positive first impression.
Essugo training
Dario Essugo has not played a competitive match for Chelsea this season. The 20-year-old midfielder has been out since September after having surgery on a thigh injury.
Essugo was due back last month but suffered a setback when Maresca was in charge. The Portuguese midfielder was involved in training on Thursday ahead of this weekend's FA Cup tie. Whether or not he is fit enough to be involved remains to be seen but it is certainly positive news on the injury front for Chelsea, who are light when it comes to central midfielders.
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