Chelsea are set to drop their bizarre tactic of holding a huddle over the ball in the centre circle, according to the Daily Mail.

Chelsea have been congregating in the centre circle in recent weeks, a move Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has branded ‘gimmicky’ and ‘extremely odd‘.

Advertisement

Referee Paul Tierney refused to leave the middle of the group during the huddle before Chelsea’s game against Newcastle United over the weekend.

It was a scene that summed up the entire Chelsea huddle tactic – unnecessary, distracting and ultimately pointless.

Chelsea have not been formally ordered to abandon the routine. However, it will now be moved away from the centre circle and into their own half, effectively ending the ritual.

Chelsea head into Tuesday night’s Champions League last-16 second leg against Paris Saint‑Germain needing a miracle after a 5-2 defeat in the first leg.

Given those circumstances, focusing on pre-match theatrics rather than performances on the pitch has looked increasingly misguided.

Advertisement

Club captain Reece James devised the huddle alongside his leadership group and cultural architect Willie Isa, who was brought in from rugby league to help shape the team’s identity.

But all this symbolism means little without results.

Chelsea debuted the centre-circle gathering in January and have since suffered damaging defeats, including the loss to Newcastle and the heavy first-leg setback against PSG.

For a side struggling to manage consistency, the optics have only made matters worse.

Blues manager Liam Rosenior has insisted the intention was never to antagonise opponents or officials, describing the reaction as overblown.

Advertisement

Still, the growing criticism has forced a needed rethink. And frankly, it is about time. The Blues can show unity in the dressing room or on the training pitch, literally anywhere else.

Turning the centre circle into a pre-match spectacle, only to lose again, makes Chelsea look silly.