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Every word Liam Rosenior said on Enzo Fernandez comments, Chelsea win and fresh injury blow
Football | April 5, 2026 8:39 AM CST

Liam Rosenior has just wrapped up his post-match press conference following Chelsea's thumping victory over Port Vale at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are through to the FA Cup semi-final later this month after hitting seven past the League One strugglers on Saturday evening. Jorrel Hato, Joao Pedro, Tosin Adarabioyo, Andrey Santos, Estevao Willian and Alejandro Garnacho, as well as an own goal from Jordan Laurence-Gabriel, all scored for the west Londoners to make it a routine evening in SW6.

Rosenior has just finished his presser and Bobby Vincent has transcribed every word the Chelsea head coach had to say:

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What did you make of that?

I was just very happy with the application, the intensity levels of the team. I think it stemmed from that. Obviously, we've got outstanding players and some of the goals we scored in the play that we did have was very good. But when you watch the application of the group in the first half, the way we chased, the way we tackled, that's what gave us the basis to go on and win the game.

What is your response to Enzo Fernandez's agent's comments?

That's his opinion. I don't have anything to say on someone else's opinion. Enzo knows what I think of him and it was brilliant to see him here to support the players today. We'll move forward and make sure we have a really good run-in in the season.

Has he actually apologised to you and the players?

I said yesterday, the conversations I have with my individual players, with Enzo, with anyone in the squad when it comes to things like this, stay within. The dressing room is sacred. I made it really clear yesterday what I think of him as a person. He's a top, top guy. But at the same time, I want us now to focus on the football and achieve what we want to achieve through the season.

Does Enzo think the sanction is unfair?

In the right time, in the right moment, which isn't now, going through what we've gone through, I'm sure the discussion will happen in terms of what's been said between me and Enzo. Enzo and I are in a very good place. I saw him today, had a really good conversation with him today one-to-one, and things aren't what people maybe think they are.

What was your thinking about going strong today?

Our next game is in eight days. I think this is the first clear week I have to work with the team before Manchester City. We played 19 games, 20 games in 10 weeks.

Relieved to get such an early goal?

I think every manager will tell you that the final whistle is when the relief is there. I think it's been a really important week, the international break, in terms of myself and the staff and the club. Obviously the players went away. When you go through a difficult moment like we did in that 10-day period, you come out of it and once you analyse it and you come back stronger and you know what you want to fix, I've got a group of players who still believe, as I do, we can have an outstanding season in terms of winning an FA Cup, in terms of qualifying for a Champions League.

In terms of you saying it's a really important time for you and your staff, do you feel different as a manager because of that time?

Yes, I think every experience, there's been a lot of talk about experience. Every experience you have can make you stronger, can make you better, even if in the moment it's painful. The reality for me and my staff is we came in January, we had a game every three days for pretty much a two-and-a-half-month period. Anyone will tell you that's difficult, you're learning as you go. Having that time to analyse, to dissect, to digest what's happened has helped us and hopefully it will help us at the end of the season.

Why wasn't Jamie Gittens here today?

Unfortunately, Jamie, in training yesterday, picked up what looks like a hamstring injury again. We have to scan him and make sure. It's a real shame for him, I think it's the third time it's happened. We need to help him and we need to make sure he's okay. I can't give you a time frame on that at the moment.

How does it feel to be going to Wembley as a manager?

That's what you dream of, but people keep asking me questions about what does it mean for me. I'm manager and head coach of a huge club where it's deemed normal for us to be in that situation. So I'll think about Wembley when we're there. We've got a huge game against Manchester City next Sunday that my focus is fully on now.

What was the reason behind giving Cole Palmer the captain's armband?

I think it's a natural step for Cole where he is in his career. He shows leadership. You have different types of leadership. You have players who talk, who organise. What Cole does and where he leads is he's so brave and he'll take the ball on the pitch. And if he makes a mistake, he'll take the ball and be positive again. That reflects what I want in this team. I felt Cole led the team magnificently in the game today.

What was Cole's reaction?

Cole's happy about it.

Palmer isn't necessarily a traditional leader...

Like I've said, you lead in different ways. Cole is a player in big moments who can win you games. But if you watch the game today with Cole or with Joao, they're tracking back, they're chasing back into their own box. Pedro was making tackles in his own box. You have to go back to basics. I felt the players in terms of the fundamentals of the game today were very, very good and Cole led by example.

Ryan Kavuma-McQueen made his debut...

I was so happy for Ryan. I had the pleasure of watching him in the FA Youth Cup game maybe six weeks ago. I know a lot about the academy. The academy coaches tell me a lot about the players. I felt it was a really good moment for Ryan and for what is traditionally an outstanding academy to have another debut.

There's some talk about Liam Delap representing Ireland at international level. Has that crossed your desk yet?

Not yet, no.

Would he be ready for senior international football?

Yeah, I think Liam's ready. He's playing at a world-class football club. He's played Champions League football, he's scored goals for Ipswich last season in the Premier League, whether it's England or Ireland, Liam's more than good enough to play international football.


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