Chelsea made a significant move in the summer by bringing in an Argentine manager to turn their fortunes around after a disappointing 12th-place finish in the previous Premier League season. However, Pochettino has faced a tough start, with Chelsea winning just one of their initial six Premier League games. That sole victory came at home against Luton Town, and they suffered losses, the latest against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge. Pochettino has appealed to Chelsea’s leadership for patience, emphasizing the need for time to recover from this challenging beginning.
Looking ahead, Chelsea’s upcoming fixtures include a Carabao Cup match, followed by Premier League games against promoted Burnley and local rival Fulham. Ian Wright, a former Arsenal player, highlighted the importance of winning these matches, labeling them as must-win games, especially considering the formidable opponents in the following matches – Arsenal, Brentford, Tottenham, and Manchester City. Wright stressed that losing the next two games could be concerning for Chelsea.
There’s a prevailing sense that something needs to change at Chelsea, particularly in the next two games. The uncertainty lies not only in their current form but also in the team’s composition and playing style. Unlike Ange Postecoglou, who swiftly implemented a recognizable playing style at Celtic, Chelsea under Pochettino seems to be grappling with defining their approach, even in terms of the starting lineup. The anticipation is that these upcoming matches could be pivotal in shaping the trajectory of Chelsea’s season, putting pressure on Pochettino and the team to deliver results and establish a clearer direction.