Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has been speaking to the media before Tuesday’s Premier League game against Leeds at Stamford Bridge (kick-off 19:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
- Reece James is fit but has been unwell so it is hoped he will be available. Cole Palmer is also fit for selection.
- Rosenior was asked about his side easing off in performance level as games go on: “My aim is we play a really high level in every minute of ever game. We’ve had a few conversations about that in recent days.”
- He was asked where he sees Josh Acheampong in terms of position: “Josh is an amazing talent. In a month I have met him and his parents – you can see why he’s a great lad as he’s been brought up the right way. He has immense potential. What I like to do with all of my defenders, especially at the age they are, is put them in different positions as it improves them. Long-term Josh is a centre-back. He has all the attributes to be an outstanding centre-back. My job is to help him, to develop him.”
- On Chelsea being more fluid in their style and if that is a specific instruction of his: “When you’re the level of player I get to work with here, the reason they are top and elite is because they make great decisions in the moment. Being fluid has positives in terms of being unpredictable. But if you do not have the right structure behind that you can become really open in transition. It’s trying to find a balance. I felt against Wolves there were some really pleasing aspects in our rotations. In the second half we didn’t stay true to our structure. That’s one of the reasons why our performance wasn’t as good in the second half.”
- Rosenior warned Leeds were “magnificent” in their win over Nottingham Forest and direct in their play, adding: “We need to stand up to that and overcome that.”
- The head coach says he has had to rotate players as a result of the long season after the summer’s Club World Cup: “You have to try to freshen up the team mentally and physically.”
- He was asked about player welfare given Chelsea’s players won the Club World Cup, then faced a full season and then a World Cup: “I think so, if I’m being honest, these lads are fantastic professionals – they live for their job which is so important. You want the best product possible. We have to find a way where we can find the right balance between the two.”
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