TheNewsGuru

Tag: Pochettino

  • EPL: Pochettino highlights Sterling leadership after win

    EPL: Pochettino highlights Sterling leadership after win

    Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino was keen to highlight Raheem Sterling’s leadership qualities after victory over Luton.

    Sterling struck in the 3-0 on Friday.

    “His commitment in the way he wants to contribute with the team, with his work ethic and quality, he deserves the full credit for his performance,” said Pochettino. “We are very pleased and happy.

    “He has the quality and he can provide the team goals and assists. And when we don’t have the ball, he works really hard to recover the ball as soon as possible. I’m so pleased for him.

    “He told me last season was a difficult season for him, but I am very pleased when the player is happy. And when an offensive player can score or assist, for us it’s the best feeling.

    “In our first conversation with all the players and our first conversation with Raheem, I love to ask the position that they love to play, to find out how they see themselves. It’s like putting the player in front of the mirror.

    “It’s not in the end the position that is most important, it’s the combination and the way that the team is going to link in between them. It’s to find the best position in the dynamic of the game we are playing in an offensive situation, to find the best platform and position and link, so the player can provide their best quality.

    “That is why the process is really important and time to work, because to create all these links in the way that we want to play and get to know each other, we need time.”

  • I really believe in this Chelsea squad – Pochettino

    I really believe in this Chelsea squad – Pochettino

    Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino says he fully believes in his youthful squad.

    Chelsea host Luton Town tonight.

    Pochettino said: “I really believe in the squad and the quality of the squad.

    “Now it’s only the process. We are in a good way. If we had four or six points it would help, but we need to be positive. It’s the beginning, we are going to win games. There’s no doubt the quality is there, it’s only a matter of time.

    “There have been many positive things. We need to give them time to perform, but we have good balance. Even the younger players have experience, like Enzo. He’s a World Cup champion.

    “Of course the Premier League is different, but then it’s about how we are capable of organising the team and creating a team that plays really well.

    “The priority is to play well, but then you have to compete. That’s another football. Set-pieces etc. In that football you need some experienced players, but we have good balance. It’s only about improving this, and for sure we are going to do that.”

    Pochettino also insists Conor Gallagher is part of his plans.

    “He’s doing well,” Pochettino said.

    “He’s a really important player, with his commitment, and the way he is involved every day and in training. We are so happy with him.”

  • EPL: Chelsea hit by fresh injury blows

    EPL: Chelsea hit by fresh injury blows

    Chelsea manager, Mauricio Pochettino, has explained that he will be without the services of Captain, Reece James for a few weeks.

    Pochettino said that James’ injury setback is a sad moment and a big setback for the London based clubside.

    The Argentine told briedfed reportes about James’ injury on Friday.

    James, who is the Blues’ new captain, suffered a hamstring injury in training this week.

    The Blues are already without Christopher Nkunku and Wesley Fofana, who have both suffered serious injuries.

    When asked for an update on James’ fitness, Pochettino said: “It’s a sad moment because he’s our captain and he was so excited by that. He was full of energy.

    “I think we’re going to assess him day-by-day. Hopefully he can come back soon and be stronger than he was.

    “He will not be back in a few days. It will be a few weeks. It’s not a big issue but the most important thing is that we sort the problem and he can come back.”

  • Pochettino praises performance of new players, says more to come

    Pochettino praises performance of new players, says more to come

    Chelsea coach, Mauricio Pochettino, said he was delighted with the performance of the Blues in his first competitive match in charge – a 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.

    He has also hinted at more new signings in the pipeline.

    Pochettino – Chelsea’s third permanent manager in a year – said the first 20 minutes of the game at Stamford Bridge were tough.

    That was before his new-look side, featuring four debutants in the starting 11, started to grow in confidence.

    “I’m so pleased with the performance overall.

    “I think we deserved to win because we conceded only one shot on target against a team like Liverpool … It’s only the start, it’s only the beginning,” the Argentine told reporters.

    Pochettino said he was happy with the way his players responded to going behind to a Luiz Diaz opener in the 18th minute.

    Debutant defender Axel Disasi equalised in the 37th minute and Chelsea dominated for much of the second half.

    “When some difficult moments appeared, the team was there and then the crowd was fantastic,” he added.

    Chelsea, whose new American owners spent over 600 million pounds (761.64 million dollars) last season only for the team to finish 12th, remain linked with Brighton and Hove Albion midfield anchor Moises Caicedo.

    This is despite Liverpool announcing last week that they had a deal with the South Coast club to buy the player.

    Pochettino previously managed Chelsea’s London rivals Tottenham Hotspur but was given a rapturous welcome by Blues fans before the game and an ovation after it.

    He later told reporters after the game that he expected more new players to arrive, without giving individual names.

    “We need good players. Yes, we need to improve the squad.

    “For sure we are going to improve the squad. It’s about finding, you know, the right profile, the right player to create the combination that we are maybe more solid,” he said when asked about Chelsea’s midfield.

    Asked about the absence of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Sunday’s squad, amid media speculation about a move to Real Madrid, Pochettino said the Spaniard was looking at “different situations, different possibilities.

    “For us, the decision is to have all the players who are committed and thinking to be in Chelsea for the season and that is why he wasn’t in the squad.”

    Pochettino said he substituted Chelsea’s new club captain Reece James late on because he was tired and needed to be managed carefully after suffering injuries last season.

  • Enzo Fernandez reveals new role after Pochettino meeting

    Enzo Fernandez reveals new role after Pochettino meeting

    Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez admits he’s set for a new role this season.

    The World Cup winner says he’s settled on a new position after talks with manager Mauricio Pochettino.

    Fernandez said: “We talked a little bit about everything, where I felt most comfortable, everything.

    “The truth is that yes, I like to play loose, and the function that I am going to fulfill this year is going to be that, playing double five but a little looser, trying not to have the responsibility I had last season, playing five alone.

    “Now, with a five more next to me, obviously I will have much more freedom, but without detracting from the position, in the sense that I also have to defend, we have to help the team in that way.”

    Fernandez will wear the No8 shirt this term.

    He also said: “Before I had said that it was a number that identified me as a boy, I always used it playing baby. It’s a number that I like a lot, I have it tattooed, and that’s more why I asked for it, because I like it.

    “I didn’t get a chance to talk to Frank that he was going to use the number, but I do know the history he demands and everything he’s achieved throughout his career here at Chelsea.

    “To be able to get to that for me is also a very big challenge.”

  • Pochettino reveals seeking Nkunku replacement at Chelsea

    Pochettino reveals seeking Nkunku replacement at Chelsea

    Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino admits they’re seeking a replacement for Christopher Nkunku.

    The French striker has undergone knee surgery which could see him sidelined until Christmas.

    Pochettino said: “We are working on the market also. We are going to miss an offensive player.

    “The club is working on a solution short-term or long-term to add to the profile for this position.”

  • Why I didn’t finish watching Dele Alli interview – Pochettino

    Why I didn’t finish watching Dele Alli interview – Pochettino

    Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has revealed his latest thoughts on Dele Alli.

    The Everton attacker gave an interview to Gary Neville where he discussed personal issues in his career.

    Alli spoke about his addiction to sleeping pills and talked about his childhood traumas as well.

    Pochettino, who coached Alli at Tottenham, told reporters: “Of course, it was really tough for me to see him. I didn’t finish the interview because it was so painful. He knows how we [Pochettino and his coaching staff] love him, how important he is for us as a person.

    “Like a player, he was amazing but like a person he has a big, big heart. And of course, we are in contact. After the USA tour I hope to see him in London, to meet him and give him a big hug.

    “Always, it is tough when you love a person but they show in an interview like this, it is really, really painful. But he is a strong, unbelievable guy and for sure he will become stronger.”

  • Pochettino discussing Sadio Mane joining Chelsea

    Pochettino discussing Sadio Mane joining Chelsea

    Mauricio Pochettino has discussed signing Bayern Munich striker Sadio Mane with Chelsea chiefs.

    Pochettino is expected to soon be confirmed new Chelsea manager.

    And Football Insider says he has raised the prospect of bringing Mane back to England this summer.

    Pochettino worked with the former Liverpool striker at Southampton and knows he is unsettled in Munich.

    Bayern are willing to sell and would accept £30m to part with the Senegal international.

  • Tuchel sack: Early contender for Chelsea job revealed

    Tuchel sack: Early contender for Chelsea job revealed

    Mauricio Pochettino is an early contender for the Chelsea job after the sacking of Thomas Tuchel.

    The former Tottenham manager is out of work after leaving PSG last season.

    Tuchel was sacked by Chelsea following their 1-0 Champions League defeat to Dinamo Zagreb.

    New owner Todd Boehly has wasted no time in binning the German coach just seven games into the season, and 100 days into his reign since replacing Roman Abramovich.

    Along with Pochettino, Brighton manager Graham Potter has also been mentioned as a candidate for the Blues hot seat.

  • Zidane turns down PSG offer to replace Pochettino

    Zidane turns down PSG offer to replace Pochettino

    Former Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has snubbed an offer from PSG to become their next manager.

    According to a local reporter Romain Molina claims Zizou has turned down the opportunity to replace Mauricio Pochettino.

    Former Tottenham boss Pochettino had his contract terminated on Sunday.

    Molina added that time is out running out to make a new appointment.

    Jose Mourinho has been linked, as well as Nice manager Christophe Galtier – who has been championed by new sporting director Luis Campos.