Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
It has been a contrasting few days for Chelsea after Pedro Neto’s red card and defeat at Arsenal, and it has been claimed that Reece James started an argument in the dressing room afterwards.
The defeat at Arsenal was actually a positive performance, but it highlighted three problems Chelsea have. Defending from set-pieces, utter ill-discipline that has resulted in 10 red cards, and Robert Sanchez.
But immediately after the defeat and in the build-up before the trip to Aston Villa, it seems Rosenior has looked to quell those issues. He dropped Sanchez for the 4-1 win at Villa, giving Filip Jorgensen a start.
However, it is not only team selection that has seen Rosenior attempt to fix Chelsea’s problems, and it isn’t just Rosenior himself. Don Hutchison claims Reece James has taken matters into his own hands.
Reece James started argument in Chelsea dressing room
Perhaps, in an attempt to alarm the Chelsea players and get the message across, Don Hutchison claims Reece James started an argument in the Chelsea dressing room after Pedro Neto’s red card at Arsenal.
Speaking to ESPN after the win over Villa, Hutchison claims the main change under Rosenior following Enzo Maresca’s departure is the players taking accountability and James is keen to enforce that message.
Reece James and Cole Palmer v Villa.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
“Rosenior talked about accountability. When Pedro Neto got sent off, he didn’t slaughter him. From what I’ve been told, there was a massive argument initiated by Reece James after Pedro Neto got sent off.
“For the first time, I think you’re looking at a group that are willing to take accountability, that are willing to have a go at eachother, because that’s not really been seen in that Chelsea dressing room,” he said.
Liam Rosenior v Villa.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
“[Previously] it’s been individuals, they’re a bit young, bit naive, bit immature. You see that in the red cards they’ve got, but one thing that he [Rosenior] has improved, is that it can’t come from me all the time.
“If there needs to be an argument, if there needs to be a fight in the dressing room, we’re going to own it. Since that Neto red, my word, what a turnaround in just two or three days, that performance, very good.”
Old-school leadership is just what Chelsea need right now
Ever since Thiago Silva left in 2024, things have slipped in terms of leadership and standards at Chelsea. That was masked by the Europa Conference League win, but Chelsea are a team of young players.
Chelsea player ratings vs Aston Villa
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
It is easy to forget that Moises Caicedo is just 24, and Cole Palmer is only 23. If Rosenior is going to have any success, he needs leaders in this side. It seems James is going to be that man, even if he is only 26.
James has been speaking to John Terry, and perhaps, he has taken a leaf out of Terry’s book. Taking ownership, showing leadership, and firing a cannon up the backside of some players that needed it.
If James and Rosenior can provide the leadership and reassert the standards that have been lost over the last 18 months or so, then Chelsea can really start to work their way back to becoming a title rival.