Mauricio Pochettino expressed disappointment in Chelsea’s performance, stating they are not living up to the club’s prestigious history.
He issued an apology to fans after their 4-2 defeat against Wolves at home, which pushed them into the bottom half of the Premier League table. This loss came on the heels of another heavy defeat against league leaders Liverpool, where they were beaten 4-1.
Acknowledging the team’s collective struggle, Pochettino admitted that everyone, including himself, falls short of the desired standard. He took personal responsibility for the situation, emphasizing that the team’s performance reflects their current inadequacy.
“We are all not good enough at the moment, that’s the reality,” he said. “Myself also. I’m the first responsible for the situation. What we showed today was that we are not good enough.”
Pochettino, an Argentine coach, assumed leadership of Chelsea in July after a disappointing 12th-place finish under interim manager Frank Lampard. The club underwent managerial changes earlier in the campaign with Graham Potter and Thomas Tuchel being sacked.
Despite being a five-time Premier League and two-time Champions League winner, Chelsea’s performance this season mirrors their standing after 23 games under Potter last season. The team faced criticism from supporters, evident in the boos heard at the end of Sunday’s match.
Pochettino believes that with time, the young squad will demonstrate consistent improvement, although he understands that patience has its limits. He emphasized the need for proper management of the current situation, emphasizing that accountability rests on everyone involved.
“We didn’t manage the situation properly. No-one can be safe. I don’t want to come here and say I am the best and the players the worst,” Pochettino said. “I think we are all responsible. But the players need to take responsibility also. At the moment we are not matching the history of the club. We need to accept that and to be critical but we cannot give up.”
He stressed the importance of players taking responsibility for their performance and acknowledged that the team’s current level does not match the club’s esteemed history. Pochettino urged acceptance of this reality while maintaining a critical mindset and refusing to give up on the team’s potential.
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