Liam Rosenior has announced that Chelsea is uncertain about whether they will perform their traditional pre-match huddle around the ball prior to their upcoming match against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
This decision comes in the wake of a chaotic incident on Saturday when referee Paul Tierney found himself surrounded before kickoff, leading to Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United.
Rosenior emphasized that the huddle is intended as a show of solidarity, not as a means to provoke or upset anyone, but he refrained from confirming whether it would be repeated this week.
Chelsea will be facing the reigning champions in their round-of-16 second leg, having lost the first leg 5-2.
“I believe this issue has been exaggerated,” he remarked. “It’s a minor matter compared to the significant challenges we face, particularly with such an important game against PSG ahead of us.”
“The players have always intended to demonstrate unity and solidarity, and I think that will continue. However, we want to avoid antagonizing anyone or drawing unnecessary attention. We’ll decide how to approach this on the pitch tomorrow.”
Rosenior, a former Strasbourg head coach, plans to meet with PGMOL representatives this week to discuss refereeing issues, although this won’t specifically address the Tierney incident. Other controversial calls affecting his team will be discussed.
“This has become a media distraction,” he said. “The huddle was simply a way for the players to show unity. They’re a strong group, and we never intended to provoke anyone or create commotion.”
“Tomorrow, we face a significant challenge against PSG, presenting us with a remarkable opportunity. We understand the need to perform flawlessly. I’d prefer to concentrate on that.”
In other news, captain Reece James may be sidelined for several weeks following a hamstring injury sustained during the match against Newcastle.
The 26-year-old recently signed a new six-year deal but will miss Tuesday’s match.
Malo Gusto might also be unavailable due to illness as Chelsea aims to make a remarkable comeback and overcome the three-goal deficit against the European champions.
– Referee’s involvement in Chelsea’s huddle was chaotic
– Chelsea fined £10.75m, facing a suspended transfer ban for rule violations
– Rosenior expresses disappointment over the referee’s involvement in the huddle
“Reece felt a problem in his hamstring towards the end of the Newcastle game,” Rosenior stated. “It’s frustrating and disappointing for us. We don’t yet know the full extent of the injury, but he’ll be out for tomorrow’s match.”
“A hamstring injury could mean weeks on the sidelines, and it’s rarely good news. We hope to get him scanned soon to understand the situation better.”
“He’s a crucial leader for us and our captain. Malo is unwell today, so we’ll assess his condition for tomorrow’s game.”
The injury to James represents a significant setback.
Signing the England defender to a contract until 2032 was seen as a major achievement for the club, especially considering his previous struggles with fitness.