Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has downplayed speculation about Enzo Fernandez leaving the club and backed striker Liam Delap's potential ahead of their Champions League clash with Pafos. The Blues, two points shy of automatic qualification, face the Cypriot side at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. Rosenior, making his Champions League managerial debut, is dealing with illness in the squad but remains focused on progression.
Chelsea enter their Champions League league phase fixture against Pafos sitting just two points outside the automatic spots for the last 16, with two matches left. The game, scheduled for Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 8pm UK time at Stamford Bridge, marks head coach Liam Rosenior's debut in Europe's elite competition as manager. Rosenior recently took charge and guided Chelsea to a 2-0 Premier League win over Brentford on Saturday, but the team suffered a defeat to Atalanta in December.
Rosenior confirmed midfielder Enzo Fernandez will miss the match due to illness, part of a virus affecting the squad. "Enzo Fernandez was ill yesterday and missed training," Rosenior said. Other players, including Estevao, Jamie Gittens, and Malo Gusto, have returned to training. However, Romeo Lavia and Tosin Adarabioyo remain sidelined with hamstring issues.
Addressing rumors of a January exit for Fernandez, the 41-year-old coach dismissed them outright. "It means nothing to me," he stated. "When you are a world-class player there will always be speculation you cannot control. Enzo has been outstanding... 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 also praised striker Liam Delap, whom he coached at Hull City. Delap has scored once in 13 Premier League appearances this season but impressed in his move to Chelsea. "I have been delighted... I am confident that he will have an outstanding career," Rosenior said.
The Blues need maximum points from this and their final game against Napoli to avoid the play-offs. "It would be optimal," Rosenior admitted on skipping them. "But the most important thing is getting through." Notably, former Chelsea defender David Luiz now plays for Pafos, adding intrigue to the matchup. Chelsea's history in the competition includes triumphs in 2012 and 2021, fueling hopes for progression after a two-year absence.
