The defeat is ultimately heavy for Chelsea. Beaten 5-2 in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League, the English club was unable to resist the hurricane caused by the infernal Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. In 28 minutes, the Georgian delivered an assist for Vitinha before scoring a saving double, which changes everything in view of the return match in a week at Stamford Bridge. PSG will arrive there with a significant lead of 3 goals. The end of the match cost the Blues dearly, not really appreciated for their behavior on the pitch.
At the final whistle, Enzo Fernandez, also the author of a great performance, refused to shake Vitinha’s hand, despite the Portuguese’s insistence. Nuno Mendes was forced to separate the two men, while the Argentinian vehemently pushed his opponent away. This is also what is stopping the British press the day after this confrontation: the arrogance of Chelsea. The celebration of the 2022 world champion illustrated this perfectly. After equalizing at 2-2, he rushed to display his badge on the winner’s jersey of the Club World Cup… against PSG.
Enzo Fernandez, first target
It ended up blowing up in his face explains The Telegraph. “With each major defeat, the natural reflex is to call for change: change goalkeeper, change defenders, change project. But the simplest change Chelsea could make for next season would be to remove the Club World Cup winners’ badge from their shirts», calls out the daily, disappointed with the attitude of certain Liam Rosenior players. In addition to Pedro Neto’s gesture towards the ball boy at the end of the match, the first target is of course Enzo Fernandez, never shy of provocation on the pitch.
“His swaggering celebration was pure arrogance — and that’s exactly what this badge represents. Even Fernandez can’t actually think that Chelsea are the best club team in the world. PSG certainly don’t think so either, despite losing 3-0 in the Club World Cup final last summer”, and continue further. “World champions? You’re kidding. The Blues aren’t even the best team in London right now.» The Argentinian’s behavior with Filip Jörgensen after his mistake also displeased, indicates the London Evening Standard.
“True winners know how to lose»
The vice-captain got angry with his goalkeeper, where Reece James, the captain, immediately came and clapped his hand to encourage him. Questioned about this altercation, Liam Rosenior did not want to add fuel to the fire, taking the doorman’s blunder personally. After all, that’s what he’s asking him to take risks on the restart, and it’s his decision to have started him rather than Robert Sanchez. And then there is this ritual before each half of seeing the Chelsea players gather in the central circle, preventing the opposing team from engaging, which is annoying.
Chelsea are not shining with their mentality at the moment. “True winners know how to lose. Fernandez, it seems, doesn’t know» concludes The Telegraph reminding one thing. If the Blues were able to shine this summer in the United States against Los Angeles FC, Flamengo, Esperance de Tunis, Benfica, Palmeiras and Fluminense, it is thanks to the club’s victory in the Champions League… in 2021. “As long as Fernández and his teammates don’t come back down to earth and stop believing they are the best team in the world, Chelsea frankly won’t have a chance“. The message got through.
