Rosenior admits he is not phased by online mockery over character

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior says he has taken online mockery in good humour after a touchline mishap during Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

The former Strasbourg manager was ridiculed on social media after failing to bring a high ball under control late in the second half as Chelsea searched for an equaliser that would have forced extra time in the Carabao Cup semifinal second leg.

The moment drew jeers from home supporters and has since circulated widely online, even among his own players.

“A few of the lads have played it back to me,” Rosenior said. “We’ve had a laugh about it. Estevao said he can’t believe I was a professional footballer.

“This is a great job. I love this job. I am serious in many aspects. I’m demanding, but life is too short. You have to enjoy life and be able to laugh at yourself.

“At the moment a lot of people in this country have been laughing at me.”

Chelsea also experienced frustration on transfer deadline day after missing out on Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, who instead joined Liverpool.

There was more positive news, however, with the return from loan of Mamadou Sarr, Rosenior’s former captain at Strasbourg. The versatile defender recently helped Senegal win the Africa Cup of Nations and is expected to add depth to the squad.

“Everybody knows what I think about Mamadou,” Rosenior said. “I think he’s got the potential to be a world-class centre-back.

“I thank the sporting directors and the ownership for supporting what I thought was right for us and for his career.

“I see a growth in Mamadou. I see a growth in his performance in the AFCON final, I see a growth in his physicality and in his tactical understanding. Also it was an area of the pitch where I felt we could strengthen.

“He will get his opportunity but he knows he will have to fight for it because we’ve got many outstanding centre-backs in our group.”