Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Chelsea’s pre-match huddle, admitting he was ‘surprised’ to see the ritual unfold in the centre circle.
The three-goal deficit isn’t the best of situations for Chelsea to be in after the first leg.
Chelsea‘s off-field antics have caught as much attention as their on-field performances of late, with the huddle involving Paul Tierney against Newcastle.
It started against Aston Villa, much to the disgust of Ollie Watkins and his teammates, but it’s stuck and gone on to make even more talking points.
And now Luis Enrique is the latest to weigh in on the Chelsea antics.
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Luis Enrique reacts to Chelsea’s huddle antics
When talking ahead of Chelsea’s return leg with Paris Saint-Germain, Luis Enrique has shared his thoughts on the centre-circle huddle.
Nizaar Kinsella relayed the quotes from Enrique.
PSG boss Luis Enrique said he was “surprised” by Chelsea’s pre‑match huddle but added that Rosenior had explained the situation well.
He also said he has “a lot of respect” for Rosenior and wished him well for the future “after tomorrow”.
Enrique reiterated that his previous comments describing the Premier League as a “farmers’ league” were intended as a joke.
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Chelsea currently sit on 48 points.
Chelsea’s huddle antics are now over
Chelsea’s insistence on performing their pre-match huddle in the centre circle has become a distracting sideshow that Liam Rosenior can ill afford.
This focus on optics and psychological games feels misplaced for a squad currently reeling from a 5-2 collapse against PSG and a tactical openness that Anthony Gordon and Newcastle ruthlessly exploited.
Instead of manufacturing centre-spot power moves, Chelsea must prioritise the fundamental on-field discipline that has deserted them in recent weeks. Rosenior’s team is currently plagued by reactive mid-game tinkering and defensive marking assignments that leave them vulnerable to transitions.
Rosenior has suggested that Chelsea will abandon the huddle, but we shall see against PSG.
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