Mauricio Pochettino: “Chelsea have not been bad this season”

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino says the Blues have “not been bad” this season

Despite the statistics making us the worst first-division team in all of 2023, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino says that the Blues have not been bad despite falling short of expectations more often than not. Poch has come to the defence of his team, insisting that despite their struggles, the Blues have not had a bad season overall.

The comments come in the wake of Chelsea’s fourth consecutive away loss, this time against Wolves at Molineux on Christmas Eve, further denting their hopes of a top-four finish.

While Chelsea has enjoyed success at Stamford Bridge with three consecutive wins in December, their away form has been a cause for concern, leading to a 10th-place league position and a significant gap from the top four. Pochettino acknowledges the need for improvement in away performances to salvage their season.

In a recent statement, Poch said that his team were not bad, but far from their targets. Here is what he had to say to beIN Sports:

“We need to compete better than (against Wolves). I think the performance from the beginning of the season has not been bad. We can say it’s very good. But in terms of competing, we are in the bottom. That’s why we are not in a better position in the table.”

Despite the challenges, Pochettino remains optimistic about the overall performance, highlighting the success achieved at home and the potential for improvement on the road.

The Blues’ fortunes on their travels have taken a hit with defeats at Newcastle, Manchester United, and Everton preceding the loss to Wolves. The consecutive away losses have raised concerns about Chelsea’s ability to secure European qualification for a second consecutive season.

A glimmer of hope for European football lies in the Carabao Cup, where Chelsea is set to face Championship side Middlesbrough in the semi-finals. A successful run in the competition could provide a route into the Europa Conference League, offering a chance for redemption in continental competitions.

The manager acknowledges that while the overall season performance may not be deemed bad, the struggles in competitiveness have hindered their league position. Hopefully, with time, the players start performing as per expectations and ensure we finish the season in a respectable position.

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The January transfer window also looms as an opportunity for Pochettino to strengthen the squad and address specific areas of concern. We can only hope for our season to finish in the best possible way after a disastrous start.