'Games you live for': Rosenior relishes Chelsea's PSG tie

Liam Rosenior is eagerly looking forward to Chelsea's major Champions League round of 16 encounter against Paris Saint-Germain, following the Friday draw that matched them with the impressive reigning champions.

Rosenior has developed a strong admiration for the French title holders, having seen their commanding displays while he was in control at Strasbourg.

The opportunity to test his strategies against PSG manager Luis Enrique and his talented squad is precisely the reason Rosenior entered coaching.

The Blues will journey to Paris for the initial leg in March, then welcome PSG to Stamford Bridge seven days afterwards.

"So excited. PSG are a fantastic team. I have experience of playing against them in France. I have always admired them. Luis Enrique has done an incredible job," Rosenior told reporters on Friday.

"These are the games you live for, games that you come into football for. 

"It's going to be a great tie. But we've got another three games before that, that I need to focus on."

Chelsea have previously met PSG on nine occasions, securing a 3-0 triumph in their latest encounter during the Club World Cup final in July.

The west London side's success in New Jersey occurred under Rosenior's forerunner Enzo Maresca, who left in January, creating the path for the 41-year-old to join Chelsea from Ligue 1.

During his period at Strasbourg, Rosenior took on PSG three times, achieving one victory, one draw, and one defeat.

At present, Rosenior's attention is on the challenging prospect of overcoming Premier League frontrunners Arsenal.

Chelsea will visit the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, seeking to settle the score for their League Cup semi-final defeat to the Gunners earlier this season.

The Blues occupy fifth position in the standings while pursuing qualification for next season's Champions League.

"I don't judge one game as harder as the other. There's different tactical things you can work on," Rosenior said. 

"I'm really happy with the group and the start we have made. We've won eight out of 12 and it should be 10 out of 12. That's not bad.

"This club should be in the Champions League, this club is a Champions League club. When I took over, we were eighth. We're now in the race."

Rosenior also expressed support for Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana, who faced racist harassment on social media after receiving a red card in the stalemate against Burnley last weekend.

"It was a tough day for Wes. First for what happened in the game and the racist abuse he got online," he said. 

"It affects you in ways that shouldn't exist. It's something we have to try and eradicate from life and football. He is strong and has trained this week."