Former Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson has sharply criticized Chelsea’s players following their disappointing 2-0 defeat to Ipswich on Monday night. Speaking on 5 Live, Robinson voiced his frustration with the players’ behavior after the match, noting there was still excessive complaining and poor sportsmanship on the pitch.
This isn’t the first time Chelsea’s attitude has been questioned. Earlier this year, former West Ham striker Carlton Cole highlighted a similar issue at Stamford Bridge when the Chelsea players argued over who should take a penalty during their 6-0 win over Everton. Despite some recent improvements in the team’s performance and character, Robinson believes these ongoing issues still need to be addressed.
He remarked, “The Chelsea players are still complaining on the pitch, showing petulance.” While he acknowledged that passion and fire are important, Robinson emphasized that these emotions should be channeled appropriately—during the match, not after the final whistle when the game is already over.
Chelsea’s squad, filled with young players, brings energy but also has contributed to issues like unnecessary yellow cards and arguments with opponents. Robinson specifically called out Marc Cucurella, Enzo Fernandez, and Nicolas Jackson, who have been involved in such disputes before.
Although these issues aren’t limited to these players, Robinson pointed to them as frequent offenders. Despite some recent positive results, he warned that Chelsea still has significant work to do in maturing as a team.
Robinson believes that for Chelsea to progress, the players need to focus their energy on more productive aspects of the game. While emotion is essential, it shouldn’t spill over into disrespectful or needless arguments, especially after the match has ended.
