Mauricio Pochettino has valued Chelsea in high esteem as he expressed that they are the greatest team in England over the last 10 to 15 years and he pledged to return them back to greatness.
Pochettino began his Chelsea managerial reign on Monday, June 3, which was his first official day at the club’s Cobham training base.
The Argentine will be handling a club that battled through a torturous 2022/23 season, ending without a trophy and 12th on the Premier League table.
His past ties with Tottenham Hotspur may have been a worry for some Chelsea faithfuls, however, Pochettino quickly reeled out his intention of taking the club back to success.
The former Paris Saint Germain boss expressed that the West London club “is one of the greatest clubs in the world”.
Pochettino said: “I know Chelsea very well, it is one of the greatest clubs in the world. So of course, it was easy for us to make the decision to move here.”
He then made the statement that the Stamford Bridge club are one of the best teams in the last 10, 12, 15 years.
Mauricio Pochettino says Chelsea “is the greatest team in England”
He said: “In the last 10, 12, 15 years, Chelsea is the greatest team in England.
“I know very well the Premier League and what the culture of Chelsea means. I think our fans are excited to again be on the road of trying to win.
“It is exciting for us and what we want is to bring the happiness again to this great football club.”
Mauricio Pochettino said that what is really paramount is the happiness of Chelsea supporters.
The 51-year-old said: “In the end, the most important thing in football is for them fans to be happy and to feel proud of us and in the way we approach games. The players need to know that.”
The Blues have efficiently started pruning their puffed up squad, based on the needs of Pochettino to have a smaller pool of players to choose from.
Big name players who have left Chelsea this summer?
Havertz, Mount, Kante, Kovacic, Koulibaly, Mendy, Loftus-Cheek amongst others are first team players that have already departed the club.
More exits is still expected to happen as Cesar Azpilicueta and Christian Pulisic are nearing moves to Atletico Madrid and AC Milan respectively.
Meanwhile, there are also incomings as Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson are amongst players that have joined the club this summer.
Chelsea are reportedly preparing a bid for Moises Caicedo, having apparently agreed personal terms with the player.
The Blues are also eyeing Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, who is also said to be attracting interest from Liverpool.
Mauricio Pochettino will begin to welcome his players back this week ahead of their preseason tour to the United States Of America.
The 2020/21 Champions League winners are also looking to put their house in order ahead of a new Premier League season which is little over a month away from commencing.
While speaking concerning new arrivals Pochettino said: “We have an unbelievable squad and for sure are going to bring players with commitment who want to be part of it also.
“It is not closed, the squad, and the club is doing a fantastic job to finish the squad so we have the players here to work with us as soon as possible.”
How much have Chelsea made from sales in the summer of 2023
Chelsea have raked in over £140 million from the sale of players this summer and it appears, they will still earn more as they continue a massive summer clear out.
Mauricio Pochettino expressing that Chelsea are the greatest club in England in the last 10 -15 years leaves a lot to ponder about, although they have enjoyed remarkable success in that period of time.
Chelsea have won 3 Premier League titles in the last 15 years and 2 Champions League titles amongst other trophies.
European trophies in the last 15 years
For Champions League trophies, Chelsea have won 2 Champions League titles in that timeframe, the most by a Premier League club in the last 15 years.
Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool have all won only one Champions League titles in that timeframe.
For Europa League titles, Chelsea still lead with 2, Manchester United have won 1 while Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal have won none.
They are at par with Liverpool for UEFA Super Cup titles with 1 each, while Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United have won none in that period of time.
However, Manchester City might level that number in the coming month, when they play Sevilla.
Domestic success
Chelsea have won 3 English Premier League titles since 2007 same as Manchester United, but they are 4 titles behind Manchester City who have 7.
For Liverpool, they have won only 1 Premier League title and Arsenal have won none.
FA Cup titles, they have won 5, the most in that timeframe as rivals Arsenal have won 4, Manchester City 3, Manchester United and Liverpool 1.
For EFL Cups, they have won 2 since 2007, however, they are 4 short of Manchester City who have won 6 and 2 short of Manchester United with 4.
Liverpool have won 2 while Arsenal have won no EFL Cup titles in that period of time.
Global success
Chelsea have won one FIFA Club World Cup title, same as Manchester United and Liverpool.
Arsenal have won none, same as Manchester City although the Citizens could get their hands on it in the coming months as well.
Based on this yardstick, you could agree with Mauricio Pochettino as the Blues are arguably the greatest club in England, in the past 15 years.
Total trophies in the past 15 years
Cumulatively, Chelsea have won 16 maior trophies, Manchester City have won 17 major trophies, Liverpool have won 7 major titles, Manchester United have won 11 major titles and Arsenal have won 4.
