Chelsea have appointed Liam Rosenior to replace the frustrated Enzo Maresca. Rosenior arrives with a reputation for high-intensity, energy-first football and a preference for a 3-4-2-1 shape he employed at Strasbourg. Early flexibility will be important as he adapts that system to a large, unsettled squad.

One immediate tactical implication is for Estêvão. Though the 18-year-old has often been used on the right wing since his arrival at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea reportedly view him as an attacking midfielder long term. Under Maresca he was more often an impact substitute than a regular starter. Rosenior’s fluid 3-4-2-1 could increase Estêvão’s minutes in a second attacking midfield role alongside Cole Palmer, though he would likely need to share time with João Pedro and Enzo Fernández.

The No. 9 position may also be open. João Pedro has operated there this term but is not an out-and-out centre forward and could be better suited to an attacking midfield role. Rosenior knows Liam Delap well: he signed Delap at Hull and the striker thrived on loan from Manchester City, scoring eight goals and adding two assists in the Championship at the MKM Stadium. Delap has the physical traits of a traditional striker and did his chances no harm by scoring against Fulham with Rosenior in the stands watching.

Andrey Santos is another player with an existing Rosenior connection. The Brazilian played 34 games for Rosenior in 2024–25, scoring 11 goals and providing four assists. Santos has started just five Premier League games this term and one in Europe, but a congested schedule could give Rosenior reason to use him more often.

Goalkeeping is a further area for review. Robert Sánchez has improved but remains unconvincing, while Filip Jörgensen has not inspired. Mike Penders, on loan at Strasbourg from Chelsea, has been the French side’s starting keeper under Rosenior this season and impressed in his first campaign in a top-five league. Rosenior has seen Penders’ development first hand and may offer him an opportunity next season.

Reece James appears safe in the XI but could be shifted to wing back, a demanding role that risks aggravating his injury history. The Rosenior system does not favour natural wingers, so wide players who prefer hugging the touchline, such as Alejandro Garnacho, or those lacking defensive discipline face a difficult path. Jamie Gittens has struggled to find the polish and technical edge to displace established wide options.

Roma’s reported pursuit of Giacomo Raspadori and the sudden change of management at Manchester United have increased the chances Joshua Zirkzee stays at Old Trafford this month. The 24-year-old forward struggled for game time in the first half of the season and had been widely tipped to move to find the consistent minutes required to push for a place in the Netherlands squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Roma director Ricky Massara admitted the club’s interest in Zirkzee cooled after United’s managerial change. “[Zirkzee] is a Manchester United  centre forward liked by many clubs, not just us,” Massara told Sky Sport Italia earlier this week. “Naturally, the situation is different after this change of management, there are no contacts in progress, but I wouldn’t focus on individual names.” He added: “It’s true there are negotiations in progress with both Atlético Madrid and Raspadori.”

Sky Sport Italia subsequently reported Roma have quickly reached agreement with Atlético to sign Raspadori on loan with an option to buy. The move requires the player’s acceptance, and any pursuit of Zirkzee would be abandoned if the Raspadori deal proceeds.

Zirkzee’s involvement for United has risen since the November international break, after barely featuring in the first three months of the season. He was called upon by Darren Fletcher in the first game after Amorim’s sudden departure and has played some part in each of the last 10 Premier League fixtures, registering direct goal involvements in two of the last three. He is still typically used from the bench.

Another factor working against an immediate exit is the expectation no new signings will be made in January. Amorim made the club’s stance clear in December and his departure has not altered that position: “It’s going to be hard for someone to leave the club if we don’t get a substitution. We are short. Even with the full squad, we are short for something that can happen.”

United were believed to have been keen on Antoine Semenyo because of his £65 million release clause, but after the goalscoring winger chose Manchester City the Red Devils withdrew and decided against spending on an alternative. Funds are intended to be held for the summer window, when a central midfielder is the priority target.

Since 1992 the Premier League has been defined by English talent and by players from abroad and neighboring nations who provided steadiness season after season. Some of the competition’s most trusted appearance makers are not English, with many racking up matches after arriving from overseas or from Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Schwarzer arrived as a dependable presence and proved something of a lucky charm in the top flight. The former Bradford City man played his part in Boro and the Cottagers reaching UEFA Cup/Europa League finals, and he even ‘won’ the Premier League twice—with Chelsea and Leicester—despite not making a single league appearance in either title-winning campaign.

Sylvain Distin was a Premier League stalwart for years, retiring in 2016 at the age of 38. His first venture in England was a season-long loan with Newcastle United that led to a permanent move to Manchester City. He went on to captain the future Premier League champions prior to their big-money investment, then enjoyed a two-year spell at Portsmouth that yielded FA Cup success. Everton benefited from Distin’s prime extending into his 30s and he made almost as many appearances for the Toffees as he did for City—174 in six seasons.

Ryan Giggs’s record of 13 Premier League title wins with Manchester United will probably never be bettered. The Welshman was already an established United player when the Premier League kicked off in 1992–93, and he was a key figure for Sir Alex Ferguson as the club rose to the top of the country. Later in his career Giggs converted into a central midfielder and produced some of his best football. Winning the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award in the 2008–09 season at age 35 was followed by another two Premier League titles prior to his retirement in 2014.

Forget Arjen Robben, Damien Duff was the real star winger in José Mourinho’s early Chelsea sides, yet he’s often underrated and not given the credit he deserves. A pacy, consistent performer, Duff rose to prominence at Blackburn Rovers as a natural left winger, terrifying right backs with his running and superb delivery. Goals followed and Chelsea came calling after the Roman Abramovich-led takeover in 2003. Duff was instrumental in Chelsea winning the Premier League two seasons in a row before being phased out. Newcastle United were the next stop in his 18-year top-flight career, followed by Fulham and then a move Down Under.