Willie Isa: Why have Chelsea appointed ex-rugby league star to Premier League backroom staff?
Chelsea appoint former Wigan Warriors centre Willie Isa as player support and development officer; Isa's former Wigan Warriors coach Matt Peet calls decision "intelligent" and praises Isa as a "cultural architect"; the 36-year-old retired from rugby league in January
Tuesday 18 February 2025 14:27, UK
Chelsea's appointment of recently-retired rugby league star Willie Isa to help support players has been hailed by his former coach.
Isa has moved to Stamford Bridge as a player support and development officer after retiring from rugby league with Super League side Wigan Warriors in January, whom he helped win four major trophies in 2024.
The Samoan international hung up his boots at Wigan last month, ending a 17-year playing career that had also seen him turn out for Penrith Panthers, Melbourne Storm, Castleford Tigers and Widnes Vikings.
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Isa only signed a new deal with the club in October last year but ended his career to enable him to move to Stamford Bridge.
Isa is already working closely with the men's football operations team and welfare team at Chelsea. His responsibilities are wide-ranging but are largely dedicated to player coordination around training and match days.
Speaking to The Athletic, Wigan coach Matt Peet said: "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.
"Everyone at Wigan and in rugby league understands why Chelsea have made this move. It's intelligent."
No serving player has ever crossed between rugby league and association football in the professional game. However, Albert Brough, who played rugby league for Oldham in the 1920s, also turned out for Barrow as a full-back in the then-third division.
'Isa has been so influential to rugby league youngsters'
Sky Sports commentator and former rugby league player Terry O'Connor:
"When people mention Willie Isa's name in rugby league, a lot of the people would talk about what they see as the rugby player and don't really know the Willie Isa behind the scenes.
"On the pitch, he's an ultra-competitive, aggressive, different character when he crosses the white line. He always plays well above his weight, not scared of any challenge on the field and an inspirational leader to everyone that's around him.
"Off the pitch, he does so much work with young lads. He made a real name for himself at Widnes, especially with all the young players in the scholarship, he did so much work for them.
"If you talk to any youngster who's come across him, they will know how influential that man has been for them. He tells them the do's and don'ts, what the pitfalls of being a rugby player are on and off the pitch, and what you need to be a leader.
"During COVID when it was worrying times for lots of people, nobody knew, apart from a few, that he'd go around delivering medicines and prescriptions to the elderly and people who couldn't leave the house for whatever reasons. He didn't do it for any plaudits, didn't do it for any column inches, but it just goes to show what sort of bloke he is away from the sport."
