Exclusive | Franck Leboeuf: 'For Liam Rosenior, I had no doubts.'

United Kingdom - Ekhbary News Agency

Exclusive | Leboeuf Confirms Unwavering Faith in Liam Rosenior: 'I Had No Doubts'

In a revealing interview with Get French Football News, former French international Franck Leboeuf delved into a variety of footballing topics, discussing the allure of Olympique de Marseille, the potential suitability of Habib Beye, RC Lens' title aspirations, and his assessment of Liam Rosenior's integration at Chelsea. This exclusive feature focuses on the third part of their conversation, where Leboeuf elaborates on the dynamics of the RC Strasbourg-Chelsea partnership and his impressions of Rosenior's work.

Addressing the complex relationship between Chelsea and Strasbourg, and the broader implications of multi-club ownership, Leboeuf was asked about Strasbourg's performance and Liam Rosenior's impact so far. "I think the players who come in, who are not French and who don’t know Strasbourg too well, must be pleasantly surprised because the city is magnificent," Leboeuf stated. "And the fans are exceptional, with extraordinary loyalty to the club. That’s why they felt betrayed at first, because they felt like their feelings weren’t being taken into consideration."

He acknowledged the careful management by club president Marc Keller, a friend of Leboeuf's, who is dedicated to making the partnership work. However, Leboeuf did not shy away from the underlying financial realities. "But the brutal reality is that the club needs money. And Chelsea have money and can help Strasbourg to survive. So it requires a quid pro quo. And that means seeing great players arrive, stay a year or two and then leave for Chelsea. That’s part of the deal." Despite this transactional aspect, Leboeuf expressed admiration for the players involved. "But I’m impressed by all of the players who come to Strasbourg. And it’s a fantastic place to play." He reminisced about his own time at the club, noting that even in Ligue 2, they attracted an average of 25,000 spectators, with the stadium often full.

Leboeuf shared cherished memories, contrasting his FA Cup win with Chelsea with a pivotal promotion match for Strasbourg against Stade Rennais, which they won 4-1. He described the atmosphere at the Meinau stadium as electric, stating, "I thought that the Meinau was going to explode. It was a crazy atmosphere. I get goosebumps thinking about it." He emphasized the club's unique character and the strong bond between players and supporters, noting, "An extraordinary club with fantastic supporters. So players feel good there and even though they’re young players, they feel that the fans love them. That’s important." He specifically mentioned players like Andrey Santos, who moved from Strasbourg to Chelsea, as examples of successful transitions.

Challenging the notion that Chelsea represents an insurmountable 'different dimension' with overwhelming pressure for young players, Leboeuf drew from his own experience. "When I arrived at Chelsea, OK it may not have been the Chelsea of today, but you have the pressure of having to prove yourself, especially if you took the place of an Englishman. But it’s a great club with a great structure, with really nice supporters who want their team to be at their best. And for a young player, it’s really 'an open door.' You feel good."

He contrasted the English football environment with that of other major European clubs. "It’s weird but when you arrive in Madrid, whether you’re young or 25, you feel the pressure. When you arrive in Marseille, you feel the pressure. You arrive in Paris, you feel the pressure. At Juventus, you feel the pressure. At Bayern Munich, you feel the pressure. But in England, the supporters are ready to raise you up and carry you. As long as you do your job, you’re going to be a superstar." Leboeuf cited Cole Palmer's immediate impact at Chelsea as a prime example: "We saw with Cole Palmer – he arrived from Manchester City, the guy scored two or three goals, he showed his talent, the fans immediately love him. And you have to be off form for a really long period before the fans turn on you. Otherwise, the Chelsea fans, they love you."

Turning his attention specifically to Liam Rosenior, Leboeuf expressed his complete conviction. "As for Rosenior, I had no doubts. Because I had seen how he worked with the young players at Strasbourg and his philosophy of the game. You can tell that he has done his studies, he is thoughtful, he speaks well. Psychologically he works very well with the young players of this generation and knows exactly how to position them. And I’m happy that it’s working well for the moment and that he’s a hit."

Leboeuf elaborated on why Rosenior's success was predictable. "But I’m not at all surprised, because Chelsea still has quite a young group who don’t necessarily know each other that well, but he immediately found the philosophy for them to be able to work together and I think that he is someone who has a lot of quality. So I hope that in the long run it will work." He concluded by highlighting Rosenior's understanding of the professional game and his interpersonal skills. "He was a professional footballer, he knows how it works, he knows how to meet the players at their level and you can see that he has a big personality too – he looks like an intellectual with his glasses and all that – but you can tell that he has a good grip on the situation and I trust him. I think it was a very good idea to bring him in."

Ekhbary News Agency