Mauricio Pochettino’s appointment as manager of Chelsea has sparked discussions regarding the club’s decision to bring in Bernardo Cueva as a set-piece coach. Pochettino has emphasized his authority in determining Cueva’s role on the touchline, indicating a potential clash with the club’s owners over this matter.
Chelsea has agreed to compensate Brentford with approximately £750,000 for Cueva’s services, with the aim of establishing a dedicated set-piece department within the team. This move signifies a departure from the previous setup, where Toni Jimenez, the custodian coach, oversaw set pieces. Pochettino, however, has previously played down the significance of this position.
Despite Pochettino’s apparent acceptance of Cueva’s hiring, he remains adamant about retaining control over the coaching staff’s involvement in matchday proceedings. He asserts his authority as the head coach to decide who accompanies him on the touchline, including the set-piece coach.
Pochettino acknowledges the club’s intention to enhance their set-piece capabilities by incorporating Cueva into the coaching setup. He stresses the importance of continuous improvement and acknowledges the potential benefits that specialized coaching could bring to the team’s performance.
In the past, Pochettino has questioned the necessity of specialized set-piece coaches, emphasizing the importance of player quality in executing set pieces effectively. He highlights the role of talented players like Ben Chilwell and James Ward-Prowse in delivering quality set pieces.
Despite his previous reservations, Pochettino recognizes the value of having specialists within the coaching team and acknowledges the club’s efforts to strengthen in this area. He points to successful examples like West Ham, where the addition of a skilled set-piece taker like Ward-Prowse has had a noticeable impact on the team’s performance.
Overall, Pochettino’s stance on the appointment of Bernardo Cueva reflects his desire to maintain control over the coaching setup at Chelsea while acknowledging the potential benefits of specialized coaching in improving the team’s set-piece proficiency.
