Chelsea have already signed Rosenior his very own Semenyo
To say it has been a roller coaster start to 2026 for Chelsea would be a massive understatement.
New Year’s Day brought news of Enzo Maresca’s departure, and just a few days later, Liam Rosenior was announced as his permanent replacement.
There is an understandable reservation from some in the fanbase about the 41-year-old’s appointment due to his relative lack of top-flight experience, but he remains highly rated and, by all accounts, seems to have done a good job with Strasbourg.
Moreover, with the transfer window now open, the club can ensure he has the best chance of success by bringing in some more top-quality players.
Moreover, the fact that Antoine Semenyo now appears to be off the market shouldn’t be a concern, as Chelsea already has their own version of the dynamic winger in someone who could be an even bigger star.
Who Chelsea might sign in January
Despite the window only opening a week ago, Chelsea have already been linked with a host of exciting players.
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One area of the team that most fans agree needs attention is central defence, and the good news is that the club has been linked with one of the most exciting young defenders in European football, Jérémy Jacquet.
The 20-year-old gem, whom talent scout Jacek Kulig has dubbed an “insane CB in the making”, is currently plying his trade with Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais.
According to FBref, he ranks in the top 3% of centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for tackles in the attacking third, the top 4% for interceptions, the top 6% and the top 12% for key passes and more, all per 90.
Combine that with the fact he’s 6 foot 2 and, in the words of analyst Ben Mattinson, “dominant in aerial duels,” and it’s easy to see why so many teams are keen to sign him.
Moving up the pitch a little, another player heavily linked with the Blues is Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.
The England international reportedly has a price tag of around £100m, and while that is an enormous sum, it’s easy to see why the Eagles value him so highly.
Despite being just 21 years old, the former Blackburn Rovers star has already amassed 121 senior club appearances and, on top of his three England Caps, was a crucial part of the South Londoners’ FA Cup-winning side last season.
Finally, while the West Londoners were linked with Semenyo for a brief moment before Christmas, they quickly backed away, and it now looks like the Bournemouth star will be heading to the Etihad this month.
However, fans shouldn’t be too disappointed as Chelsea might just already have their own answer to the dynamic attacker for Rosenior to get the most out of.
Chelsea's answer to Semenyo
While this Chelsea squad has some weaknesses, it also has more than a few seriously talented and exciting players who could help Rosenior make a positive start to life this season.
He might not be the most important player at the moment, but arguably the most exciting, and the one who could be the manager’s answer to Semenyo is Estevao.
The Blues finally got their hands on the teenage sensation in the summer after signing him in 2024, and to say he has been looked at as one of the next great players would be quite the understatement.
Estevao’s Palmeiras record
Appearances
83
Minutes
5610′
Goals
27
Assists
15
Goal Involvements per Match
0.50
Minutes per Goal Involvement
133.57′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
After all, Mattinson labelled him a “future Ballon d’Or winner” before he had even put pen to paper with the West Londoners, and while that might seem a tad over the top, he did leave Brazil with an incredible record of 27 goals and 15 assists in only 89 appearances for Palmeiras.
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Moreover, he has already made quite the impact on these shores, scoring a last-minute winner against Liverpool and a sensational goal against Barcelona all before the turn of the year.
It is this ability to drive with the ball at his feet and score a goal out of nothing that makes it easy to see him as the club’s answer to Semenyo.
Furthermore, while he seems to be a little bit more effective on the right, he is someone who can and has played in other positions, from the attacking midfield to the opposite flank.
Finally, like the Cherries star, the young Brazilian is also a hugely entertaining player to watch; he is someone who can and almost always will get the fans on their feet at some point in a game.
Ultimately, while Rosenior would likely have loved to have Semenyo on the books, Chelsea have already signed him an answer to him in Estevao.
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ByJack Salveson Holmes