Newcastle United’s Joelinton, left, and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez battle for the ball during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle, in London, Saturday March 14, 2026. (John Walton/PA via AP)
There was an unexpected person in Chelsea’s pre-match huddle on Saturday: The referee.
Under recently hired manager Liam Rosenior, Chelsea’s players have made a habit of gathering in a circle around the ball on the halfway line in the moments before the first and second halves begin in a display of unity.