Why Chelsea gather in a circle before each half

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has praised his players' "unity" after they began gathering in a circle before each half.

The new ritual appeared to frustrate Aston Villa's players and supporters, who booed the Chelsea squad while stood partly in their half during the interval, as the Blues ultimately ran out 4–1 winners at Villa Park on Wednesday night.

It follows Chelsea's previous team‑building practice of leaving the pitch together as a group after both halves.

When asked whether the latest idea was his, Rosenior replied: "No, it wasn't. The idea came from the players, and I really like it because they're showing unity and togetherness and spirit, and I think you need that.

"Before anything — before you start talking about tactics or systems — you need a group of players willing to run and fight for each other. And in my time, I have to say there hasn't been one game where they haven't given everything or where I was disappointed with their application, and that bodes well.

"They're a good group, they're a tight group, they enjoy each other's company, and that's half the battle."

Chelsea won despite falling behind to an early strike from Douglas Luiz, with Joao Pedro scoring a hat‑trick and Cole Palmer also on target in a crucial victory over their Champions League rivals, as both Manchester United and Liverpool suffered midweek defeats.