Rosenior claims current Chelsea team can mirror Man United class of ’92
Liam Rosenior believes Chelsea’s young squad has the capacity to mirror Manchester United’s famed Class of ’92, insisting the club must show the same level of conviction Sir Alex Ferguson displayed in backing youth.
The 41-year-old, appointed head coach after Enzo Maresca’s departure on New Year’s Day, is unfazed by concerns over Chelsea fielding the Premier League’s youngest average starting XI this season.
Instead, Rosenior views it as a competitive advantage and a foundation for sustained success.
“I remember Sir Alex being brave enough to trust six or seven players aged 19 to 21 in a title-winning team,” Rosenior said. “They grew together and won relentlessly. Without that bravery, it never happens. There is real potential for that here.”
Backing youth as a long-term strategy
Rosenior highlighted players such as Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer and Reece James as elite talents who remain far from their peak.
His stated ambition is to build a winning core that matures together, rather than relying on short-term fixes.
His confidence is shaped by his recent work at Strasbourg, where he oversaw one of Europe’s youngest squads, finishing seventh in Ligue 1 and qualifying for Europe.
He believes intensity, fitness and availability naturally follow when teams are built around youth.
“Young players are fit, resilient and play with energy,” he said. “That doesn’t stop you winning now. If I didn’t believe this group could succeed immediately, I wouldn’t be here.”
Calm amid scrutiny and supporter unrest
Rosenior watched from the stands as Chelsea lost 2-1 at Fulham, extending a poor league run that has intensified fan dissatisfaction with the club’s ownership and recruitment model.
Despite the noise, he publicly backed the club’s multi-director sporting structure, saying it aligns with how modern clubs should operate.
He also dismissed concerns over his relative inexperience compared to decorated predecessors, stressing that credibility is earned through results, not reputation.
“Everyone starts somewhere,” Rosenior said. “You’re not a name until you become a name.”
His message to supporters was direct: assess progress on the pitch, not perception off it. Accountability, he added, ultimately sits with him.
“The project is about winning,” Rosenior concluded. “Winning matches and delivering trophies. Judge us fairly, but give us the chance to prove it.”
