Chelsea’s Malo Gusto has come to the defense of manager Liam Rosenior, expressing confusion over the criticism directed at him since taking the helm.
Rosenior was appointed as Chelsea manager in January, following the decision to part ways with Enzo Maresca, who had successfully guided the team to a Club World Cup and Conference League victory in his debut season.
Since his appointment, Rosenior has been the target of memes and jokes online from both rival fans and Chelsea supporters.
He started his tenure in promising fashion, leading the team to impressive victories against Atalanta and staging a remarkable comeback from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 against West Ham in the Premier League.
However, recent poor performances have resulted in a significant drop in the league standings, capped by a disappointing 3-0 loss to Everton just before the international break, further fueling doubts about Rosenior’s ability to lead the club forward.
This defeat followed an aggregate loss of 8-2 to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, along with a 1-0 loss at home to Newcastle, leaving Chelsea on a four-match losing streak.
Despite this turmoil, Gusto backed Rosenior, stating that the team stands united behind him.
He remarked to ESPN: “I believe he [Rosenior] is an exceptional coach; I’ve seen a lot of criticism towards him. I don’t quite understand why he’s being criticized so harshly. I’ve worked closely with him since he joined Chelsea, and I see him as a great person and manager. He is young and brings a lot to the table for our future.”
“We need to have faith in him, trust our playing style, stick to our plan, and see how things develop,” he added.
“He’s an honest and straightforward person, his passion for football is evident, and I genuinely want to play for him. I strive to give my best whenever I’m on the pitch for the team.”
The decision to dismiss Maresca was unexpected for many, particularly given the success he enjoyed last season with two trophy wins and notable victories against Liverpool and Barcelona.
Gusto noted that the players themselves were taken aback by the decision to part ways with the Italian, attributing the recent decline in form to the managerial change.
He stated: “It was a challenging situation for us when Enzo Maresca was let go mid-season. The arrival of a new coach represented a significant change for the team, and to be honest, everyone was surprised. But these things happen in football, and we must adapt.”
“We faced a tough stretch before the international break, with results not meeting our expectations. Losses against PSG, Newcastle, and Everton were particularly difficult for us.”
“Adjusting to a new system is hard, especially when you’re starting to grasp one approach only to switch to another, which can be more challenging for us given our relative inexperience. While many of us are young, we have the capability to rise to the occasion. We just need to trust the process and do our best to restore Chelsea to its rightful place.”