According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea will abandon the bizarre tactic of holding the ball in the center circle.
Chelsea have been gathering in the center circle in recent weeks, with Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville branding the move a “gimmick” and “extremely strange”.
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Referee Paul Tierney refused to leave in the middle of the crowd ahead of Chelsea’s game against Newcastle United at the weekend.
The scene summed up Chelsea’s entire tactic – unnecessary, distracting and ultimately pointless.
Chelsea have not yet been formally ordered to abandon this practice. However, it will now be moved away from the center circle and into its own half, effectively ending the ceremony.
Chelsea face Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday night and will need a miracle after losing 5-2 in the first leg.
Given these circumstances, focusing on pre-match performances rather than on-field performances looks increasingly misguided.
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Club captain Reece James designed the team alongside his leadership team and cultural designer Willie Isa, who was brought in from the Rugby Football Union to help shape the team’s image.
But all this symbolism means nothing without results.
Chelsea first competed in the center circle in January and have since suffered devastating defeats, including defeat to Newcastle and a first-leg defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.
For a team struggling to maintain consistency, this visual only makes things worse.
Blues boss Liam Rognior insisted the intention was never to antagonize opponents or officials and said the reaction was excessive.
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Nonetheless, mounting criticism forces necessary reflection. Frankly, it’s time. The Blues can show unity in the dressing room or on the training ground, or indeed anywhere else.
Turning the center circle into a pre-match spectacle, only to lose again and make Chelsea look silly.