‘He’s a cultural architect’ – Chelsea make surprise hire of rugby league legend to help turn flailing season around
CHELSEA have made a surprise hire by naming Willie Isa in a player support role.
The rugby league legend has been recruited from the Wigan Warriors.
Isa, 36, retired from playing in January after winning four major trophies with the Warriors in 2024.
During his career, he also impressed at Australian sides Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm.
It was when he moved to England in 2011 he enjoyed a trophy filled decade which included two club world championships.
Isa has been baked to make a positive impact at the club by Warriors head coach Matt Peet.
He told The Athletic: “I don’t expect the supporters to ever physically see the impact he has at Chelsea.
“But he is a cultural architect.
“He will make the environment better and all the individuals around the environment better.
“Ignore the different shape of the ball that he is associated with, Willie’s skill set is all about high-performing teams, leadership and dealing with people.
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“Everyone at Wigan and in rugby league understands why Chelsea have made this move.
“It’s intelligent.”
MARESC IS HISTORY
ENZO MARESCA is struggling again in the second half of the season – as he did at Leicester last term, despite their promotion...
LEICESTER 2023-24 (All comps)
Before Christmas – Games 25 Wins 21 Win rate 84%
After Christmas – Games 27 Wins 15 Win rate 56%
CHELSEA 2024-25 (All comps so far)
Before Christmas – Games 27 Wins 18 Win rate 67%
After Christmas – Games 10, Wins 3 Win rate 30%
TOTAL (All comps)
Before Christmas – Games 52 Wins 39 Win rate 75%
After Christmas – Games 37 Wins 18 Win rate 49%
Chelsea fans will be hoping that Isa has an immediate impact on Enzo Maresca‘s squad.
The Blues have dropped off in recent weeks, with only two Premier League wins in their last five games.
This run of form has seen the club fall away in the race for the top four just two months after they were being considered as title challengers.
The downturn has seen Maresca come underfire from some Chelsea legends.
Former defender Frank Leboeuf took aim at the club after the defeat to Brighton as he criticised the lack of fight from the players.
He said: “I saw a team that gave up after the second goal. We didn’t want to fight and didn’t know what to do.
“That was so bad and so unprofessional.”
William Gallas even hit out at the start of the season to claim there was not enough quality in the team.
He said: “I’m looking at this squad of players and I don’t see nearly enough quality.
“There is no way they’d get into the best Chelsea teams – half wouldn’t even get on the bench.
“They aren’t good enough to win a title, which should always be the aim of a club like Chelsea.
“Are they good enough to quality for the Champions League? I have serious doubts.
“I don’t recognise this version of Chelsea anymore.”