Rosenior plays down Fernandez exit rumours and backs Delap to thrive at Chelsea

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has played down transfer speculation around Enzo Fernandez and expressed confidence in striker Liam Delap ahead of his side’s Champions League meeting with Pafos later this week.

Chelsea go into the fixture sitting just two points outside the automatic qualification places for the last 16, with two group matches remaining.

Rosenior, now in charge as Chelsea attempt to secure progression, confirmed that Fernandez will miss the game due to illness, with a virus continuing to circulate within the squad.

“Enzo Fernandez was ill yesterday and missed training,” Rosenior said. “Estevao has been back in. Jamie Gittens is back in. Malo Gusto is back involved, another outstanding player.”

The Chelsea head coach was quick to dismiss reports linking Fernandez with a possible January move away from Stamford Bridge, insisting the midfielder remains central to his plans.

“It means nothing to me,” Rosenior said. “When you are a world-class player there will always be speculation you cannot control. Enzo has been outstanding and he has surprised me in a good way, in terms of what he did on Saturday, covering the ground he did when he was ill.

“He is a Chelsea player, he is very important to me and hopefully we will have a winning relationship in the short term and long term.”

Rosenior backs Delap

Rosenior also offered his backing to Delap, whom he previously coached at Hull City. The forward has found opportunities limited this season, scoring once in 13 Premier League appearances, but Rosenior remains convinced of his long-term potential.

“I have been delighted, not just with Liam but with lots of players I’ve worked with throughout my career,” he said. “I like to keep track of players I have worked with and it was so good to see him perform at a level I believed he was capable of in the Premier League. It was not a surprise to see him make another move up to Chelsea.

“I am not surprised, but he also knows I will keep pushing him to keep improving and if he can do that, I am confident that he will have an outstanding career.”

Looking ahead to the challenge of managing in Europe’s elite competition, Rosenior described the occasion as a milestone while stressing that results remain his priority.

“Your dream, as a player or manager, is to be at the top of the game. The Champions League is a signal of that,” he said. “It’s not about me; my focus is on winning the game and being successful here.”