Chelsea player criticized despite big FA Cup win

Rather than being acknowledged just for their impressive display during the match, the London team encountered strong criticism because of how they treated the child mascots prior to the game starting.

During their away match at MKM Stadium, Coach Liam Rosenior fielded a very strong lineup to secure progression. Facing an opponent from the Championship, Chelsea quickly demonstrated their superior quality. Pedro Neto shone brightly with an impressive hat-trick, while Estevao also contributed a goal to seal the 4-0 scoreline. Apart from Liam Delap’s unfortunate miss from an open goal, the Premier League side made almost no mistakes.

However, the off-field story is what stirred public debate. Before the match, Chelsea’s official social media posted a video showing players entering the locker room. As they passed the group of Hull City’s young mascots, none of the players stopped to greet or high-five the children. This footage quickly spread and sparked controversy on social media.

Many fans, including Chelsea supporters, expressed disappointment. Some opinions suggested that small moments like these could become lifelong cherished memories for children. In an era where football is increasingly commercialized, supporters hope that star players maintain their approachability and inspiring spirit.

Experienced players like Reece James and Robert Sanchez were also named in the debate. Although no clear negative actions were evident, completely ignoring the children significantly affected the club’s image. Some fans described it as an “unpleasant image,” especially since the clip was shared by the club’s own media channel.

From a professional perspective, Chelsea is showing strong ambition in this season’s FA Cup. Their last triumph was in the 2017/18 season, and the London club clearly aims to replicate that success. However, alongside on-field achievements, the club’s image and community values also play a crucial role in brand building.

The 4-0 victory over Hull City secured Chelsea’s place in the FA Cup fifth round, but the controversy surrounding the video will surely continue to be discussed. In modern football, sometimes a simple high-five can carry as much weight as a spectacular goal.