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.

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.

The Premier League has published the shortlists for December’s Player and Manager of the Month awards.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin led the scoring charts for Leeds United, netting a league-high six goals across five games. His return included strikes in wins over Chelsea and Crystal Palace and helped Leeds record draws with Liverpool, Brentford and Sunderland as the club climbed away from the relegation zone.

Manchester City provide three nominees. Rayan Cherki recorded four assists and a goal while helping City to five victories. Phil Foden contributed four goals and an assist. Erling Haaland, September’s Player of the Month, produced five goals and three assists in December as he bids to become a two-time winner.

Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitiké matched Haaland with five goals, scoring in victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion and registering a brace in a busy draw with Leeds.

Aston Villa have two forwards in contention. Morgan Rogers finished December with four goals while Ollie Watkins reached five during a winning run that extended to 11 games before a defeat to Arsenal.

Fulham winger Harry Wilson enjoyed a strong month, scoring twice against Burnley and Crystal Palace and supplying four assists as the Cottagers emerged as European hopefuls.

On the managerial side, Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta navigated a defensive injury crisis to deliver five wins from six games, extending Arsenal’s lead at the top. Arteta met Aston Villa’s Unai Emery twice in December, with the spoils ultimately shared. Emery’s side also beat Chelsea and Manchester United and recorded a win against Arsenal.

Leeds went undefeated under Daniel Farke during a month that included fixtures against Chelsea and Liverpool, where a new formation produced a crucial unbeaten run. Pep Guardiola closed the year with five wins from five as Manchester City finished December in strong form.

The shortlists follow a season that has already seen recent monthly honours awarded to Jack Grealish (Everton) in August, Erling Haaland (Man City) in September, Bryan Mbeumo (Man Utd) in October and Igor Thiago (Brentford) in November. Managerial winners this season include Arne Slot, Oliver Glasner, Ruben Amorim and Enzo Maresca.