Marc Cucurella has expressed confidence that Mauricio Pochettino has the support of the Chelsea players, despite ongoing uncertainties about his future as the season draws to a close. Pochettino is facing significant pressure as his first season managing the Blues nears its end. With only 13 wins out of 33 matches, Chelsea is currently in ninth place in the Premier League, trailing the top four by 19 points.
Since Todd Boehly’s consortium took control of Chelsea a little over two years ago, the club has spent over a billion pounds on players. However, the team has not been performing to expectations. Following a heavy 5-0 defeat by Arsenal and a 1-0 loss to Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final, there were rumors that the hierarchy was seriously considering firing Pochettino. This speculation came after Arsenal’s dominant victory over Tottenham by a score of 5-0.
Things appeared to worsen for Pochettino when Chelsea fell behind 2-0 to Aston Villa on Saturday. However, the team managed to come back and secure a 2-2 draw. They would have won the game if Axel Disasi’s late goal had not been controversially disallowed by the video assistant referee. Cucurella believes that Pochettino is steering Chelsea in the right direction and deserves more time.
When asked if the second-half comeback against Villa showed that the players want Pochettino to stay, Cucurella told the Evening Standard, “Yes, without a doubt.” He praised Pochettino’s halftime speech and noted the positive reaction from the squad. He emphasized that while many games end without a win, the problem is not with the manager but rather with the players and their mentality. According to Cucurella, Pochettino has been very supportive, communicates well, and has the team’s backing. He believes that maintaining unity and consistency will lead to success.
Despite Pochettino’s earlier criticism that the team “gave up” in the second half against Arsenal, the performance against Villa was encouraging. Not only did Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher score impressive goals, but Disasi’s remarkable header was disallowed because Benoit Badashile was judged to have committed a foul in the penalty area.
Cucurella reiterated that the Chelsea players support Pochettino as their manager. When Pochettino joined Chelsea at the start of the season, he signed a two-year contract with an option for an additional year. However, the quick dismissal of his predecessor, Graham Potter, who was fired less than seven months into a five-year contract, indicates that Stamford Bridge is only focusing on the short term.
Pochettino has sought clarification from co-owners
Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, along with sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, about his future. Despite the looming uncertainty, Pochettino has already begun planning for the summer transfer window and preseason. Nevertheless, the threat of being dismissed is ever-present. Chelsea’s remaining fixtures include matches against Tottenham on Thursday, followed by games against West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Brighton, and Bournemouth.
Marc Cucurella believes that the players’ response in the second half against Aston Villa, where they overcame a 2-0 deficit to draw 2-2, demonstrates their desire for Pochettino to stay. He highlighted Pochettino’s impactful halftime speech and the squad’s positive reaction. Cucurella suggested that the team’s struggles are more about their mentality and not reflective of the manager’s capabilities. He emphasized the importance of unity and consistency in their performance and mindset.
Even though Chelsea’s performance has been underwhelming this season, with the team spending a vast amount on new players and still failing to meet expectations, Cucurella maintains that Pochettino has the support and belief of the players. This support is crucial as Chelsea navigates a challenging period, with the pressure on Pochettino mounting due to disappointing results.
Despite setbacks and the club’s history of making swift managerial changes, Pochettino continues to work on long-term plans. His tenure at Chelsea began with a vision of a more extended project, as indicated by his initial contract terms. However, the immediate demands and high expectations at Stamford Bridge make his position precarious.
Cucurella’s public backing of Pochettino and the team’s fighting spirit in recent matches suggest that the players are rallying behind their manager. This internal support might be pivotal as Chelsea heads into the final stretch of the season, facing a mix of tough and winnable matches. Whether this support will translate into more time for Pochettino to implement his strategies remains to be seen, given the high stakes and the club’s quick decision-making tendencies regarding managerial positions.
