Journalist Paul Brown pointed out that Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino faces mounting pressure to showcase progress at Stamford Bridge this season. Since his arrival in the summer of 2023 following a disappointing 2022/23 season, Pochettino hasn’t steered the team consistently to success or secured European football at home. The management is expecting significant improvements in the second half of the season after a lackluster start.
Pochettino’s main task is to guide Chelsea back to its former level, especially after the team’s 12th-place finish last season. Despite considerable spending totaling around £430.6 million by co-owner Todd Boehly, several high-profile acquisitions have struggled to secure regular playing time. Notably, the £115 million acquisition of Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion highlighted the club’s extensive spending.
Chelsea’s current Premier League position, trailing fourth-placed Manchester City by 14 points, underscores the team’s challenge in securing a spot in the 2024/25 Champions League. While there have been glimpses of quality and potential in the squad, including a 4-4 draw against City and a 3-2 home win over Brighton, inconsistent performances like the 2-0 defeats at home to Everton and Brentford reveal areas that need improvement.
According to Paul Brown, Chelsea seems to be ‘lacking maturity,’ especially with Pochettino guiding a youthful and relatively inexperienced group. The onus is on Pochettino to demonstrate evident growth and consistency at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea prepares to face Sheffield United on December 16th.
