The fact that last year was such a disaster, and the fact that Chelsea haven’t properly challenged for the title in some time now, has meant that expectations are comfortingly low for Mauricio Pochettino this season.
Given the catastrophe of the last 12 months and the young squad at his disposal, fans would be happy to see a challenge for Europe, let alone the Champions League, let alone the title. But in an exclusive chat with journos including Ben Jacobs, as featured on Simon Phillips’ Substack, that’s just what the Argentine has declared he’s going to do.
“We are going to try and win [the Premier League],” Pochettino declared after the conclusion of preseason in Chicago..
“I am not selling smoke. Chelsea has to try and win [the title]. I’ll tell you if it was possible at the end of the season.”
“‘I need to win [now]. I am a coach… and it’s like a striker. If they score, good. If they don’t, it’s a problem. The coach is the same. We need to win and if we don’t, we will struggle.
“Next week we are going to face Liverpool [to start the Premier League season] and the mentality is to win. My idea and message to the players, the fans and everyone is that we are Chelsea, and we need to win. Today, yesterday, not tomorrow.
“At the same time, we need to be working hard and be clever in how we are going to prepare for next month, the next six months and the year.”
We love that attitude, and it’s just what we want to hear after expectations and standards have slipped lower and lower over the years. Instead of taking the easy route and pointing to the issues he still faces, Pochettino is setting out his stall and challenging his players rather than handing them excuses.
Let’s hope it works out.
