New Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior lavished praise on young striker Marc Guiu, describing his performance as "magnificent," following a commanding 5-1 FA Cup third-round victory over Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
Rosenior's Dream Start at Stamford Bridge
The win at The Valley marked a perfect start for Rosenior, who took charge of his first match since moving from Strasbourg to replace Enzo Maresca. The Blues broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time through a stunning volley from defender Jorrel Hato. This goal opened the floodgates after the interval, with further strikes from Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto, and Enzo Fernandez sealing a comprehensive passage into the fourth round.
Special Praise for Young Striker Guiu
While delighted with his squad's overall quality, Rosenior made a point of highlighting the contribution of 20-year-old forward Marc Guiu. The Spaniard, who joined from Barcelona in July 2024, has found Premier League minutes hard to come by, making just ten top-flight appearances. However, his goal against Charlton was his eighth for the club across all competitions, showcasing his value in cup fixtures.
"When I can bring on Estevao, Enzo [Fernandez], Pedro Neto, Liam Delap, I've got a fantastic squad," Rosenior told TNT Sports. "But I was delighted with the starting players. I thought Marc Guiu was magnificent, I thought he deserved his goal. So there's a lot of real positives."
Manager Highlights Team Intensity and Quality
Rosenior also commended his team's mentality and the intensity of their pressing against the Championship opposition. He expressed particular delight with Hato's opening goal and a well-worked set-piece effort. "A good start. I thought that our first goal came at a really important time in the game," he said. "What pleased me so much was the intensity that pretty much every player put into the game."
The new boss extended his praise to the defensive duo of Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile, as well as young full-back Josh Acheampong, whom he described as "full of potential." Former Chelsea star and pundit Joe Cole suggested Rosenior's specific mentions were a sign of his emotional intelligence, rewarding players for executing specific tactical instructions, such as Guiu's off-the-ball movement against a deep-lying defence.
Rosenior's second match in charge presents a far sterner test, as Chelsea host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.
