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Emma Hayes, the manager of Chelsea, stated that she did not believe it was appropriate to use the word “inappropriate” in reference to relationships between players on the same team. She also expressed that her remarks from this week were unnecessarily exaggerated.
During a conversation on Thursday, Hayes commented on the potential difficulties that can arise for managers when players develop relationships with each other. She was addressing inquiries regarding the recent situation involving Leicester’s coach-to-player relationships, as Willie Kirk was suspended by the team following allegations of a relationship with a player on the Leicester squad.
Hayes stated that relationships between players and coaches, as well as between players themselves, are inappropriate.
The Chelsea squad contains players who are in relationships with each other, including Jess Carter. The England and Chelsea defender is in a relationship with goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger. Following Hayes’s comments, Carter appeared to like several posts on Twitter/X that criticised what Hayes said.
Before Chelsea’s 3-1 victory over Arsenal on Friday, Hayes stated that she had conversed with Carter. She praised Carter for her exceptional performance in the center of the defense and also used the chance to discuss her previous remarks from Thursday.
“I am not interested in generating clickbait headlines. I have noticed that honest conversations can unintentionally lead to this. It is disappointing to see that happen. I have spoken with Jess and other players on the team about this. They know my true intentions and who I am.”
However, I have an obligation to fulfill as the highly skilled and professional coach who avoids using sensational or misleading headlines. I am disappointed in myself for not upholding this standard yesterday. I believed it was unfair to label the players as inappropriate.
However, I believe that when we have open and sincere discussions about these matters, I stand firm in my beliefs. I do not have any negative opinions towards any player in my team for any reason, including their level of professionalism and dedication to their club, regardless of their position or personal relationships. I have consistently shown support for all of my players and advocate for equal treatment and fairness.
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“I believe that this topic has been greatly exaggerated in an unnecessary manner. However, I have no control over social media and I have no desire to do so. I would like to acknowledge that we have an incredible team atmosphere, as seen in tonight’s performance from all players who were highly focused on what truly matters. As I always remind our players, even if we may disagree, it is important to resolve matters privately rather than publicly. Effective communication is crucial in a workplace setting.”
“I believe you observed in tonight’s show that our team is fully committed to our efforts. Everyone gave an outstanding performance, especially Jess.”
Source: independent.co.uk
