Chelsea’s squad held a behind-the-scenes meeting following their crushing 3-0 defeat to Brighton, with senior players leading an honest discussion at Cobham Training Centre on February 16. Frustrations boiled over after Chelsea’s fourth loss in nine league matches, with concerns growing over their Champions League qualification hopes.
The meeting, revealed by The Athletic, reportedly saw frank exchanges as players admitted training standards needed to improve. They also agreed that individual ambitions must take a backseat for the team’s overall success at Stamford Bridge.
The humiliating loss at Brighton was described as Chelsea’s “worst performance” of the season. Manager Enzo Maresca echoed those sentiments, expressing his disappointment over missing a key opportunity to strengthen their top-four position.
Despite another setback against Aston Villa, Chelsea bounced back with a dominant 4-0 win over Southampton, and the internal meeting is believed to have played a role in that resurgence. Players felt the discussion helped clear the air, ensuring greater unity ahead of their crucial Champions League clash against Copenhagen.
Maresca emphasized the importance of consistency, stating, “From now on, every game is crucial. When we win, we stay in the fight for the Champions League. If we don’t, we fall behind.”
Currently sitting fifth in the Premier League with 11 games left, Chelsea will look to keep their momentum alive when they face Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on March 9.