Chelsea’s manager Mauricio Pochettino faces an imminent departure following a clear directive for dismissal.
Football analyst Pat Nevin scrutinizes Pochettino’s debut year at Chelsea, pointing out that his previous accomplishments are amplifying the scrutiny. Despite Chelsea’s persistent mid-table placement and a struggle to rise above ninth in the league standings this season, their lackluster performance against Manchester United exacerbates the concern.
Hopes for an upswing after a resilient display against Brighton were dashed when the team delivered a lacklustre performance at Old Trafford, raising doubts about the coach’s capabilities once again.
Following a recent poor 4-1 defeat against Newcastle and subsequent online criticism, Pochettino and his squad were jeered by away fans. Presently, Chelsea trails fifth-placed Tottenham by eight points, with the latter possessing a game in hand before their upcoming fixture against West Ham on Thursday.
Expectations were high for Pochettino’s quick turnaround after finishing 12th last season under a combination of coaches. However, after 15 matches, the uncertainties surrounding the team seem as prevalent, if not more, than when he took charge.
Despite Chelsea’s near £1 billion spending spree on new players since May 2022, the team’s league position has declined. The hope for a response and a potential top-four or top-five challenge remains far from realization four months into the season.
Nevin maintains that although changing the manager might not be the best approach, Pochettino is still the right fit for the job, especially considering the influx of new players. He suggests that the team’s reliance on young, inexperienced players was a risky strategy, expecting it to take at least two seasons before seeing effective results.
The average age of Pochettino’s starting XI was notably young, with Thiago Silva heavily impacting the higher average age. However, the lack of immediate impact from a team accustomed to competing at the top of the league has drawn significant attention.
Nevin doesn’t anticipate Chelsea securing a top-four spot this season, emphasizing that it might take two seasons or more for the team to challenge at that level again. This situation would also result in a significant financial setback for the club, as Champions League football revenue is crucial for their financial stability.
Given the circumstances, if Chelsea requires an additional couple of years to vie for a top-four spot, it’s conceivable that the manager might undergo replacement at least once within that period.
