When Liam Rosenior was onboarded as Chelsea's new head coach, Chelsea fans (and soccer fans at large) were quick to write him off. However, now that his well into his reign as Blues boss, he's proving every single critic wrong.
Since Liam Rosenior took charge at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea has won six games and lost one. They are in a very promising position, through in the Champions League, still within touching distance of the EFL Cup, and fourth in the Premier League.
Chelsea fans would have bitten your arm off if you offered them this position by February. Now, they're asking a frankly awkward question.
Chelsea fans are opening up to Liam Rosenior's plan a lot more
Is Liam Rosenior a better option for Chelsea than Enzo Maresca was? Last month, the answer would have been a resounding no, but nowadays, many more Chelsea fans are pondering whether the answer is yes.
Sure, Enzo Maresca was an astute tactician, and one of the best in the world when it comes to setting up a team. However, Liam Rosenior clearly has something over Enzo Maresca (and most managers in the world) and that is the ability to man-manage.
As cringeworthy as the "ageing of men" comment was that resurfaced last month, he's proving his own point. Liam Rosenior puts a lot of his own resources into building close relationships with Chelsea players.
It doesn't take a genius to look at Chelsea players, both on the pitch and in interviews, and recognize how much happier they are to be playing under Liam Rosenior. Whether or not that transcends into anything of note by the end of the season remains to be seen, but nobody can deny it's good to see the players incentivized.
And, look, Enzo Maresca was by no means a bad coach. The fact that there was an uproar when he left the club tells you everything you need to know. However, Chelsea got his replacement appointment spot on.
Liam Rosenior was, at first, viewed as a stopgap manager. Let's just put it up with him and wait until someone worthwhile becomes available was the thought process of Chelsea fans.
Now, though, the question has to be asked: Is Liam Rosenior the guy? Will Chelsea fans be seeing him on the touchline for years to come? Again, only time will tell, but he's ticking every single box at his disposal right now.