Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has insisted Chelsea have what it takes to win the Premier League but need time to settle with the clusters of young players that have joined the club.
Chelsea are down the pecking order in the Premier League this term. They are 11th on the Premier League with 39 points after 27 games and could miss out on European football next season.
Based on permutations, a slot in the European third-tier – the Europa Conference League – is a possibility but they could miss out on the Europa League and have been summarily ruled out of the Champions League race.
‘Inconsistency’ sums up Chelsea’s campaign this season under Mauricio Pochettino. The Blues have put up scintillating performances against bigger opponents in the league but have struggled for consistency against smaller opponents.
While the benchmarks leave much to be desired, Mauricio Pochettino could be cut some slacks despite the club’s less-than-stellar run.
The Argentine is on his first season as Chelsea manager and faces the arduous task of working out his tactics in a rejigged squad swarmed with a bunch of talents poached by Todd Boehly’s record £1bn transfer splurge.
Despite the challenge, Pochettino kept Chelsea’s silverware hopes intact. He led the team to the EFL Cup final where they lost to Liverpool, and has also qualified the team for the last four of the FA Cup where they will take on Manchester City.
However, it is obvious the fans and the club’s hierarchy want more from a club that has gulped over £1bn in the past two seasons.
Mauricio Pochettino reveals Chelsea can win the Premier League
The benchmark has been to return Chelsea to the elite cadre of clubs in the English topflight frequently qualifying for the Champions League and challenging for the Premier League title.
Pochettino’s future in the dugout at Stamford Bridge has been uncertain with Chelsea apparently slipping off the benchmarks.
However, the former PSG boss has insisted Chelsea will eventually do better with or without him as the project is on track.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League tie with Burnley, Pochettino said Chelsea will win the Premier League again.
“Of course, we want to win the Premier League. Yes, one day we will. But if not, for sure another coaching staff will win it because this process needs to happen.
‘‘And it needs to happen in the best way — in the way that it is happening. Because if not, it will be impossible for the young players to grow.’’
Chelsea will move from the bottom half to the top half of the Premier League if they defeat Burnley in their next fixture. Pochettino has two paths to European football next – FA Cup victory and a strong Premier League finish.
While the stats are not overly impressive, the Argentine is more likely to make the difference if given enough time to settle with his game with the Blues.
It is the final run-in in the English topflight. The former Tottenham boss has 11 games left to convince the Blues’ hierarchy he is still the right man for the job.
