Liam Rosenior heaped praise on Wrexham and their boss Phil Parkinson but is determined to avoid Chelsea becoming the victim of an FA Cup giantkilling tomorrow evening.
Wrexham have flourished after being taken over by Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in 2021 and three successive promotions has seen them go from non-league to the Championship play-off spots.
Phil Parkinson has moulded a physical, aggressive team that is likely to give Chelsea plenty of problems.
“When you see a club grow, develop and come through the leagues, it is a great story. They have done a great job. Phil has done an incredible job,” said Rosenior.
“It is a club that is on the rise. There is a good energy and good vibe around them, and that is hard to play against that.
“For us, it’s an opportunity to win a trophy. It’s what football is about. It’s what the FA Cup is about. We are the favourites but we need to go and play like that.”
Winning silverware is why I’m here – Chelsea boss Rosenior
The FA Cup is Chelsea’s most realistic chance of silverware this season, although they are still in the Champions League, and Rosenior is aware of the competition’s importance having reached the fifth round courtesy of wins over Charlton and Hull.
“It is why I am here. It is what you dream of as a player, coach or manager,” he said.
“The FA Cup is an amazing competition with tradition and history, but what we have to do tomorrow is not think about the trophy or finals and concentrate on Wrexham.
“If I go back to the Charlton or Hull game, what pleased me most was the application of the players. I thought we were excellent, and we will have to be at the same level at least to win the game tomorrow.
“It is what you work for, but if you focus on the trophy at the end of the season you probably aren’t going to win anything. It is all about the next game, it really is.”
Chelsea forward Joao Pedro earns praise from Rosenior
Chelsea head to North Wales after a morale-boosting 4-1 win at fellow Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa in midweek.
Brazil forward Joao Pedro was the star with a hat-trick, making it 14 goals and eight assists in 29 Premier League appearances this season, and Rosenior sees plenty of room for growth in the former Brighton man.
Rosenior added: ”I’ve had some great conversations with Joao since I came in. Like all of the players here, he is someone with huge, huge potential and he is showing that with recent performances.
“It isn’t about what I’ve done, it’s about what he has done. He has been magnificent and I don’t just mean with the goals, it’s his intensity and the understanding of the press. Tactically, what he gives us is magnificent.
“If you look at the teams I manage and coach, we try to create as many chances as possible for our nine, which is normally in the middle of the goal and six-yards out. It was really pleasing to see the goals that we scored against Aston Villa, I know they were tap-ins but he was in the right place at the right time.
“It is really exciting for us to have a player at his level performing the way he is at the moment.”
Chelsea get triple injury boost
Romeo Lavia could make his first start since November at the Racecourse Ground while there was also positive news around Willian Estevao and Jamie Gittens.
“Estevao is back on the pitch but he is not ready for this one.,” said Rosenior. “We need to be really careful, given it was a hamstring injury. He has to clear a few markers but it will be a big boost to have him back with the group.
“Jamie Gittens is getting really close which is great. He had a really positive scan so hopefully within the next seven days he will be back in the group.
“I’m delighted for Romeo. He will definitely play a part and will play a part for the rest of the season. We know of his attributes. He has been itching to play, but we’ve tried to build him in the best possible way. His chance will come and he will definitely play in these next few games.”
