‘Something I’ve never seen in 50 years of watching football’

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior recently praised his players’ unity after they began gathering in a circle before each half – but there was an unlikely addition to the Blues’ huddle prior to their game against Newcastle.

Referee Paul Tierney found himself right in the middle of the hosts’ pre-match huddle on Saturday evening, much to the bemusement of some of Chelsea’s players.

Cole Palmer jokingly wrapped his arms around Tierney before staring quizzically at the official, who merely smiled back at the England international as Trevoh Chalobah and Enzo Fernandez watched on in amusement.

“Tierney just stood in the middle of it,” former England midfielder Fara Williams told Final Score. “He probably heard everything that was said. Cole Palmer is looking at him and giving him the eye.”

Former Premier League assistant referee referee Darren Cann told BBC Sport he had never seen anything as strange “in 50 years of watching football”.

But Cann was able to shed some light on the incident, saying: “As it was Newcastle’s kick-off, the referee [took] control of the ball on the halfway line and was there to prevent any potential issues.

Chelsea’s huddles appeared to frustrate Aston Villa players and fans during the Blues’ recent 4-1 win at Villa Park, with the home fans booing the visitors during the half-time interval.

Manager Rosenior said on Friday: “There is nothing about the huddle that is intentionally to affect anything to do with the opposition, the fans, or anything at all. It was a decision that was made between the group and the leadership team about the way they wanted to show unity.”

Chelsea captain Reece James, who reportedly came up with the idea, added: “I like to speak to the players right before the first half starts and right before the second half starts.

“That is the best way I think I can get messages across to them.”

The Blues’ new ritual follows their previous team-building practice of leaving the pitch together as a group after both halves.

“I really like it,” Rosenior said this month. “Before anything – before you start talking about tactics or systems – you need a group of players willing to run and fight for each other.

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