Liam Rosenior has revealed how he has never fined a footballer in his life and hopes his Chelsea stars will not give him a reason to start now amid accusations that they lack discipline.
Rosenior, who previously managed Strasbourg, Hull and Derby, spoke highly of what he has seen since becoming Blues boss – though his defence of their reputation coincided with his club receiving a whopping £150,000 fine from the FA for an incident after last month’s 2-1 home loss to Aston Villa.
Managed by Enzo Maresca at the time, Chelsea were accused of a water bottle being thrown from their technical area towards their Villa counterparts and they admitted to the FA’s charge, prompting the hefty punishment. The identity of the thrower was not found despite an investigation into the reaction after a Ollie Watkins double condemned the Blues to defeat.
The Commission who assessed the act described it as a ‘very serious incident’ which could have ‘easily provoked a reaction’ in their written reasons, adding: ‘It is a very poor example when a person involved at the highest level of professional football in England acts in such a disrespectful, irresponsible and dangerous way against his professional counterparts.’
On the pitch, no Premier League club has received more red cards this season than Chelsea’s five, but Rosenior has yet to see anything worthy of issuing his first-ever fine. ‘I haven’t had to so far,’ he said before Sunday’s trip to face Crystal Palace.
On his general policy, Rosenior added: ‘You can motivate your players in many different ways. Every manager has a different way. I try to focus on if your discipline is good and your habits are good, that helps the team win. In my last clubs, I didn’t fine anyone ever because the discipline in the team was really, really good and the habits in the squad, so you have good values.
Liam Rosenior has sent a warning to his Chelsea stars about their indiscipline following a fine from the FA
Chelsea have had five red cards this season – something Rosenior is looking to get ahold of
‘So far – and I can only speak on my time so far – the players have been magnificent in my time with them and that’s what I’ll focus on.’
When Frank Lampard was Chelsea manager in 2019-20, an internal fines list was leaked, and it included a £20,000 fine for being late for the start of training. The money went towards team activities and charitable bodies.
Meanwhile, Rosenior believes a fully-fit and firing Cole Palmer walks into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for this summer’s World Cup. On trying to get him to reach his best level amid his fitness issues, the Blues boss said: ‘The reality for Cole is that if he performs at his level, he will be in.
‘A fully fit Cole, firing, I wouldn’t change him for any player in world football in his position. My job is to support him and not just me – the staff, the medical team, the players.
‘To make sure he can not feel frustrated. It’s good he’s frustrated. Because he wants to do well for the club. But I don’t want him to feel like he has to push himself to the point of pain when we’re in January. That’s crazy. I want to look after him. I’ve had great conversations with him so far, and I will continue to look after him. I don’t say protect. It’s not about protecting the player. It’s making sure they reach the levels that they are capable of.’
Rosenior also shot down speculation that Palmer is unhappy at Chelsea, saying: ‘I’ve had numerous conversations with Cole and he seems – and is – very, very happy to be here. He is a huge part of our plans in the long-term. Every player goes through difficult moments in their career in terms of injuries.’
