“I want to see"—John Terry Calls for Clear Change Under Liam Rosenior After Chelsea’s Mixed Start

Chelsea legend John Terry has made it clear that while results have been encouraging under new head coach Liam Rosenior, he now wants to see a clear shift in style of play from what supporters watched under former boss Enzo Maresca.

Rosenior has started his reign with back-to-back victories, beating Pafos in the UEFA Champions League and Brentford in the Premier League, both without conceding a goal. On paper, it is a strong start. But performances have left many Chelsea fans unconvinced, and Terry believes change is now needed.

Results Are Coming, But Questions Remain

Chelsea’s recent wins have been built on discipline and defensive organisation rather than free-flowing attacking football. Against both Pafos and Brentford, the Blues found ways to win despite not being at their best.

That ability to grind out results is often praised in elite teams, but supporters have been quick to point out that the overall approach looks too similar to the Maresca era. Slow build-up, inverted full-backs, and a lack of direct attacking play have remained key talking points.

John Terry acknowledged this concern while previewing Chelsea’s upcoming London derby against Crystal Palace on TikTok. His comments, later shared on X, reflected the balance between patience and expectation.

“I want to see a little bit of change from Enzo Maresca’s team to Liam’s team in the next few weeks when he does get a bit more time to work with a group,” Terry said.

Similar Problems, Different Manager

Many Chelsea fans had mixed feelings about Enzo Maresca before his departure. While the Italian coach delivered trophies, including the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup, his tactical choices often divided opinion.

Supporters regularly questioned decisions such as:

Inverting full-backs into midfield

Using Reece James away from his natural right-back role

A slow tempo in possession

A lack of urgency in attack

Those same issues, according to fans, have not disappeared under Rosenior. Instead, they appear to have carried over into the new regime, raising doubts about whether Chelsea are truly moving in a new direction.

Terry was honest in his assessment, admitting that he has not yet seen a major difference.

“To be honest, I’ve not seen much change since Liam’s come in as manager,” he said, as quoted by Chelsea Chronicle.

Time Still on Rosenior’s Side

Despite the criticism, Terry was careful to defend Rosenior, stressing that the English coach has not yet had enough time on the training ground to fully implement his ideas.

Chelsea’s packed schedule and multiple competitions mean limited preparation time, something that often delays visible tactical evolution.

“In his defence, he’s not had much time to work with the players,” Terry added.

Chelsea are competing across four competitions, and stability has been a priority following Maresca’s departure. Rosenior’s immediate focus has been on securing points and restoring confidence, rather than making dramatic changes that could risk short-term results.

Winning Without Playing Well Still Matters

One key point Terry highlighted was the importance of winning even when performances are below standard. Chelsea’s ability to take six points from two games, while keeping two clean sheets, should not be overlooked.

“Not our best performance against Pafos, not our best performance against Brentford, but we managed to win the last two games as well, which is always important,” Terry said.

That defensive solidity is a positive sign, especially after a difficult period earlier in the season. Clean sheets suggest improved organisation and focus, which could form a foundation for better attacking football later on.

Pressure Builds Ahead of Palace Clash

With Crystal Palace next on the fixture list, the spotlight will remain firmly on Rosenior. London derbies often bring added pressure, and Terry believes results must remain the priority, even as fans demand improvement.

“The most important thing at the moment, especially in the London derby, is to pick up the three points,” he stressed.

Still, Terry made it clear that patience will not last forever. Once Rosenior has had sufficient time with the squad, supporters and club legends alike will expect to see a clearer identity, one that moves away from the frustrations of the Maresca era.

A Defining Period for Rosenior

Chelsea’s decision to part ways with Maresca was based on the belief that change was needed to get the season back on track. The club stated that with key objectives still to play for, a new direction offered the best chance of success.

Now, Rosenior faces the challenge of proving that decision right.