Liam Rosenior is ‘100 per cent’ relieved Chelsea‘s modern structure means he is not confined to his office making countless calls on transfers, with the Blues boss believing he has the best recruiters in world football working hard on his behalf.
Chelsea’s model is the antithesis of old-school times when a manager might have been selling and signing players personally.
The Blues have a five-strong sporting director set-up, led by Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart and also featuring Joe Shields, Sam Jewell and Dave Fallows, in what is seen as a collaborative approach with individual responsibilities and shared accountability.
Rosenior is constantly updated on the latest happenings and that includes in their chase for Jeremy Jacquet. Chelsea remain in talks with Rennes in the hope of striking an agreement for the 20-year-old central defender before Monday’s 7pm deadline, after two weeks of the Ligue 1 side digging in their heels.
Speaking before Saturday’s Premier League visit of West Ham, Rosenior was asked whether the end of the January window would see his workload increase.
‘That’s the beauty of being a head coach within a structure: I’m not an old-school manager that’s got out the phone and is making calls,’ Rosenior said.
Liam Rosenior says he is happy with his quiet role in Chelsea’s modern recruitment set-up
Chelsea still hope to strike a deal for Rennes star Jeremy Jacquet before Monday’s deadline
‘I’ve got the best people, I think, in world football working on those things. I probably see the last two per cent of the work they do, which allows me to focus on what I need to focus on: the team and the performance.’
On whether he prefers that way of working, having operated in a BlueCo structure at Strasbourg previously, Rosenior said: ‘One hundred per cent. I don’t want to be sat in an office all day. I want to be on the training pitch.’
One Chelsea player in line to leave is Tyrique George. Everton are interested in the 19-year-old winger after Jack Grealish’s injury, but we are told they are not the only Premier League club, while enquiries have also arrived from Spain and Italy.
While George may not be included in the match-day squad versus West Ham, Cole Palmer will, and Rosenior told us he would be fit enough to start after assisting both of Joao Pedro’s goals in their Champions League win over Napoli.
In other positive news, Levi Colwill has stepped up his rehab after an ACL injury with the centre back now working outside and on the grass at Cobham. It is hoped he will return before the end of the season, though Chelsea are placing no pressure on him to rush back.
Rosenior was asked at his pre-West Ham press conference whether he would be open to joining in with the long throw-in party that has increased in the Premier League this season.
The Blues boss joked ‘I haven’t seen any of our players be able to throw it more than 10 yards so far’, but Marc Cucurella was spied practising throws on Friday afternoon by one onlooker at Cobham.
Rosenior is also not placing a timeframe on Romeo Lavia’s return to playing, saying: ‘He’s looking really, really good but we need to make sure every single thing is marked off in terms of his rehab.
Tyrique George is expected to leave amid interest from the Premier League, Spain and Italy
Marc Cucurella was spotted practising throws on Friday afternoon by one onlooker at Cobham
‘He wants to be playing. He wants to be on the pitch. He wants to help the team. But it’s about doing what’s right for their long-term health. Romeo is still a very young player.
‘He’s an incredible talent. I want to make sure when he’s back, he’s back for good.’
After Chelsea’s training session finished on Friday and once the first-team players had left the pitch to head home, it is understood Lavia did some individual work with a club coach.
His return would be a boost for the Blues, who have already been looking at the options available in the midfield market this month.
