Chelsea star knows exactly what Liam Rosenior thinks of him after telling comments

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The prospect of Liam Rosenior taking charge at Chelsea might not set pulses racing for everyone - but it could be exactly what Liam Delap needs. The Blues forward has endured a difficult spell since completing his £30million transfer from Ipswich over the summer, scoring only once in 13 outings this campaign.

Following Enzo Maresca's surprise departure on New Year's Day, Rosenior has quickly become the front-runner to succeed him. The 41-year-old has been turning heads at Strasbourg - Chelsea's affiliated club - and his achievements there have clearly not gone unnoticed by BlueCo.

However, Chelsea's hierarchy are far from alone in holding Rosenior in high regard. Delap shares a strong history with him from their spell at Hull City , where the two built a close and productive professional bond.

Delap spent the 2023/24 campaign on loan at the MKM Stadium before going on to enjoy a breakthrough year with Ipswich. Rosenior, who was Hull's manager between 2022 and 2024, was quick to recognise the striker's enormous upside and frequently praised him in public.

"He is one of a kind and I love him," Rosenior said in November 2023. "He is probably the player who I shout at the most in training. But he is a player I enjoy working with a lot as well... he is showing some really positive moments for us."

Should Rosenior be appointed at Stamford Bridge, Delap would almost certainly welcome the move. The striker registered eight goals from 26 starts under his former boss and could again be trusted with a prominent role - particularly given Rosenior's liking for a powerful, direct No. 9 spearheading the attack.

During Maresca's tenure, Delap was largely limited to a peripheral role. That has been influenced by a season plagued by injuries, with hamstring and shoulder issues ruling him out for long stretches and preventing any consistent run of form.

While Delap was sidelined, Joao Pedro has frequently filled in as an improvised No. 9. Now fully fit again, Delap may be handed the chance to challenge the Brazilian for Chelsea's central striking position.

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That competition does not necessarily have to be head-to-head. Pedro is capable of playing anywhere across the frontline and Rosenior has demonstrated tactical flexibility, occasionally favouring a two-pronged forward setup.

In such a system, Delap and Pedro could realistically operate together, giving Chelsea a mix of physical presence and technical finesse in attacking areas.

Delap isn't the only Chelsea player to have thrived under Rosenior. Andrey Santos, who spent last season on loan at Strasbourg, enjoyed a standout year, scoring 11 goals and being named Ligue 1 Young Player of the Season.

Strasbourg forward Emmanuel Emegha, who is set to join Chelsea this summer, has also flourished, netting 21 times in 40 appearances under Rosenior's guidance.

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Since arriving in Strasbourg in July 2024, Rosenior's standing within the game has soared. Tasked with overseeing the youngest squad in the league, he steered them to a 7th-place finish and secured European qualification in his first season.

At one point, Strasbourg were even challenging for a Champions League berth, a scenario that would have posed a serious dilemma for Chelsea and BlueCo. Under UEFA's multi-club ownership regulations, teams controlled by the same group are generally barred from competing in the same European tournament.

Had Strasbourg reached the Champions League alongside Chelsea, the owners may have been required to place the French side into a "blind trust" to avoid conflicts of interest or the risk of one club being demoted from the competition.

From a tactical standpoint, Rosenior has introduced a modern, possession-based approach that closely matches Chelsea's long-term strategy. His philosophy emphasises controlled build-up play, aggressive pressing, rapid transitions and tactical adaptability.

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Although he frequently deploys either a 3-4-2-1 or 4-2-3-1 formation, he is well known for adjusting his structure to control possession and target specific weaknesses in opponents. This 'process-driven' method has enabled Strasbourg to outperform their expected points total more than almost any other side in France, turning them from relegation candidates into one of Europe's most exciting young teams.

That said, Strasbourg's momentum has stalled after a promising start to the 2025/26 season. After claiming five wins from their opening eight league fixtures - and earning an entertaining 3-3 draw with PSG - Rosenior's team have suffered three defeats in their last four matches and have not won in Ligue 1 since November 9.

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