Rosenior Rejects Claims Chelsea Huddle Is Provocative Ahead Of PSG Clash

‎Liam Rosenior stressed that Chelsea’s much-debated pre-match huddle isn’t intended to provoke opponents, downplaying the controversy surrounding it.

‎He declined to confirm whether the team will repeat the ritual ahead of Tuesday’s meeting with Paris Saint-Germain. The issue resurfaced after referee Paul Tierney was awkwardly caught inside Chelsea’s huddle before their 1-0 loss to Newcastle United.

‎The Blues have taken to holding their pre-match get-together in the centre of the pitch, with some pundits claiming the move is disrespectful to the opposition.

‎Rosenior insists the ritual isn’t meant to intimidate, but he declined to say whether they would repeat it in the Champions League last-16 second leg against PSG at Stamford Bridge.

‎”I think it’s been blown out of proportion. It’s a small thing among many serious things that we need to address, such as the massive game against PSG,” Rosenior told reporters on Monday

‎”The lads have always wanted to show unity and togetherness, and they think they’ll continue to do that. But what we don’t want is to antagonise and bring more noise to ourselves.

‎”We’ll make the decision on where we do that on the pitch tomorrow,”

‎Rosenior said he plans to meet this week with the referees’ organisation PGMOL to discuss decisions that have gone against his team.

‎”I think it’s a distraction for the media,” he said.

‎”The huddle was something the players wanted to show unity. They’re a good group. We never wanted to antagonise anyone or create noise.

‎”We have a huge game against PSG tomorrow. We have an opportunity to do something really special. We know we need to be perfect. I’d rather focus on that.”

‎Chelsea defender Reece James could be sidelined for several weeks after pulling his hamstring against Newcastle.

‎The 26-year-old only recently signed a six-year contract on Friday, but he will be unavailable for Rosenior starting with Tuesday’s match. Malo Gusto may also miss out due to illness as the Blues chase an unlikely fightback from 5-2 down.

‎”Reece felt something in his hamstring at the end of the game against Newcastle,” said Rosenior.

‎”It could be (weeks) with a hamstring injury; it’s never great. Hopefully, we can get him scanned, find out the full extent, (and) then we’ll know more.

‎”We know what an important leader he is in the group. He’s our captain.”