Pochettino Clarifies Wolves Statement: Denies Player Quotes, Calls Context Misleading
Mauricio Pochettino has claimed that his comments after Chelsea‘s 4-2 defeat to Wolves had been taken out of context.
Following the defeat at Stamford Bridge Pochettino claimed that his side were not good enough in the game, having been roundly beaten – and leap-frogged – by Gary O’Neil’s side.
Chelsea had taken the lead through Cole Palmer early in the encounter, but a hat-trick from Matheus Cunha and an Axel Disasi own goal quickly had the visitors on top.
A Thiago Silva goal in the 86th minute reduced the deficit to two goals, but there was not to be a late comeback.
Following the game Pochettino claimed that his side’s performance was ‘not good enough’, however he insisted that his words were taken out of context to suggest he was openly criticising his squad.
‘The question came in a previous press conference about whether the players are good enough for top four or top six,’ the Argentine told the media at Tuesday’s pre-FA Cup press conference.
‘I said “today after the game we were not good enough” and the story said “Pochettino says the players are not good enough” What? No. It’s not to take out of context.
‘Today or in that game we were not good enough but you have to be careful to take my words. They take advantage of an opportunity to say things.
‘That upset me. But it’s part of this position. The most difficult part is to explain to my wife who says: “Why do you say this, you told me he was a champion!”‘
Following the game, club vice-captain Ben Chilwell claimed that his side were lacking the desire of Wolves in the game.
He said: ‘I think they showed that they ‘wanted it’ more than us. That’s not to say that we didn’t want it, but I think they just showed that bit more fight than us.’
Pochettino was also quizzed on the left back’s comments in his conference, but admitted that he had already spoken to his player.
‘I was talking with Chilly and it was never the intention to say his team didn’t show desire. The attitude of the players is always good. For different reasons we are not performing. We need to feel the trust of the coaching staff and the players.’
Chelsea have fallen now as low as 11th in the Premier League table, but will have break from their top-flight foes.
On Wednesday night they travel to Villa Park for a clash with Aston Villa in their FA Cup fourth round replay clash with Unai Emery’s side.
The Blues boss thought his side had acquitted themselves well in the first meeting, but hinted that he was unable to decide on a team with so many players still being assessed ahead of the game.
‘It’s true we played well in the game we played at Stamford Bridge [vs Villa],’ he said. ‘In football it is like this, we cannot change the past, only we can affect the future.
‘We told the players to be ready. We need to assess our players and until tomorrow I do not want to decide the team because it is about assessing.