Liam Rosenior shares why he’s “never had a best XI” ahead of Arsenal cup clash

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has opened up on his managerial approach ahead of the Blues’ Carabao Cup Semi-Final against Arsenal.

Rosenior has had a positive start to life at Stamford Bridge. The Englishman has won six of his first seven games as Chelsea manager since taking over from Enzo Maresca in January.

The former Strasbourg boss has earned a reputation for being an eccentric coach during his short time in the Premier League.

However, his latest comments ahead of Chelsea’s crucial Carabao Cup Semi-Final tie against Arsenal demonstrated his thinking is aligned more with the modern game than people think.

“I don’t have a best XI”, says Liam Rosenior

As Rosenior approaches his first month in the job, the Chelsea boss was quizzed on whether he had figured out his best starting eleven.

Speaking in the press conference ahead of the game, the 41-year-old had some interesting things to say.

“I can’t speak for other managers in terms of myself.

“I don’t have a best XI. I never have done in all of the clubs that I’ve worked with,” Rosenior said.

‘Best XIs’ are a thing of the past

Having a best eleven has been pivotal to football discussion for well over a century. Back in the days when substitutes did not exist, having a strong eleven to pick from was crucial to a football team’s success.

However, with a fixture list that continues to grow each season, coaches are finding it increasingly difficult to stick with the same eleven players week in week out – just ask Tottenham, who have suffered the most from injuries in the Premier League this season.

Meanwhile, those who manage to pick the same team each game face the risk of injury crisis and late-season fatigue as players begin to burn out.

Explaining why he doesn’t have a best XI, Rosenior explained: “Because of the demands, the physical demands of the Premier League or Ligue 1 or the Championship now with 46 games.

“You need a squad, and you need to use the players in the correct way to challenge over the course of the season.”

Rosenior is still getting to know Chelsea players

Rosenior’s comments are backed up by the fact that the Chelsea boss has played a different starting eleven in his first seven games as manager.

Having been at the club for a matter of weeks, some may expect Rosenior’s starting eleven to become more consistent as he becomes more familiar with the Chelsea players.

“I’m just getting to know the players; I don’t have a best XI in my mind,” Rosenior admitted.

However, the Englishman suggested that people should not expect a consistent line-up, even as Rosenior’s time as Chelsea manager goes on.

“I try and pick the right starting team, but I also try to pick a bench that will give us the right finishing team as well.

“So far, I have to say the substitutes in every game that we’ve played have made a huge impact. It’s not down to my tactical stuff, there’s some part of that, but it’s down to their mentality to come on and help the team.”

Rosenior is aware of the David Brent label

Rosenior’s mature comments on squad depth come after being scrutinised by some for his quirky antics that have seen the Chelsea boss referred to as football’s David Brent on social media.

It started with an unearthed interview from his time as Strasbourg boss in which Rosenior said, “In English, ‘manage’, if you split the two words is ‘man’ and ‘age’, so ‘you’re ‘ageing men’.

The 41-year old then raised some eyebrows when he asked a Chelsea masseur to place a sticky note “always connected” on his forehead whilst his players trained.

Chelsea masseur Billy McCulloch wore an ‘Always Connected’ sticker on his head during Chelsea’s training session today pic.twitter.com/X5jhJTsG5e

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 20, 2026

Rosenior is aware of the comparisons, and recently told Sky Sports his own kids have made fun of him for it.

However, if his first seven games are anything to go by, Chelsea have got a talented manager on their hands – and Blues fans won’t care one bit about the comparisons.