Chelsea’s new manager, Leroy Rosenior, seems to be winning fans in the squad, as can be surmised from defender Jorrel Hato, who scored in their FA Cup win at the weekend.
Rosenior managed BlueCo club Strasbourg in France’s Ligue 1 until last week, when the club owners asked him to take charge of Chelsea, their franchise club. His first match as the Blues’ new manager was their FA Cup clash with Charlton Athletic, and he delivered.
He coached and watched from the sidelines as the young Blues, which included teenage center back Hato, ran rampant against their fellow London-based side and came out 5-1 winners in the clash to progress to the next round of the competition.
Hato was one of the scorers for Chelsea in the game and had nothing but high praise for the manager, who is just taking charge of his first English top-flight team. Speaking generally about the turn of events as well as Rosenior’s influence and demands, the former AFC Ajax defender said: “We knew it would be a difficult game.
“We expected Charlton to be physical, to play a lot of long balls, and for there to be a lot of duels all over the pitch. But we knew if we matched the energy, then our quality should come through, and I think that showed in the end.
“The manager made it clear to us coming into this game that we would need to show a lot of fight. He demanded that intensity of us, and it worked. Winning 5-1 is very good.”
Hato was one of eight changes that Rosenior made to the Chelsea side for the match. The teenager, along with the seven other changes, was used sparingly by former boss Enzo Maresca. Scoring the opening goal of the match meant a lot to him.
“To be honest, I was a little bit surprised when it went in, so that’s why I didn’t really celebrate too much,” said Hato. “I enjoy being able to help offensively as well as defensively. It’s a new role for me because during my time at Ajax I only ever played as a defender.
“Maresca wanted me to invert and join in attacks previously, and now the new manager has asked the same of me.
“It’s a new role, but one I’m happy to do, and I’m really enjoying the first few days under the gaffer.”
