Chelsea continued their resurgence under Mauricio Pochettino with a convincing 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night. However, despite the win, Pochettino used his post-match press conference to send a pointed message to owner Todd Boehly with a cryptic ten-word statement.
The Blues are in red-hot form, boasting four wins, three draws, and just one defeat in their last eight Premier League outings. This impressive run puts them in eighth place, only three points behind Manchester United for a coveted sixth-place finish.
This turnaround comes amidst a backdrop of constant speculation surrounding Pochettino’s future. He inherited a young squad and a crippling injury list, yet still faces pressure for inconsistent results early in his tenure.
Following the win over Spurs, Pochettino addressed the ongoing scrutiny with a ten-word message directed at the Chelsea board, particularly owner Todd Boehly: “You need to have time. But it’s not my decision.”
Pochettino further emphasized his point by referencing his time as Tottenham manager in 2016, specifically the infamous “Battle of the Bridge” match that derailed Spurs’ title challenge, ultimately handing the trophy to Leicester City.
“Yesterday, the media asked me about the Battle of the Bridge eight years ago,” Pochettino began. “You see the squad. Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry. You see in the table they finished 10th with 50 points. They had Hazard, Willian, Costa, Fabregas, Matic.”
He continued, highlighting the contrast between that experienced Tottenham squad and his current young Chelsea team: “They were the big players and they proved they can fight. With this team with young guys, of course, I am going to take the responsibility. But at the same time, we know the circumstances. I want to say enough is enough. All managers need time to translate their philosophy more with the team.”
Pochettino concluded with a clear message about the pressure he’s facing: “It’s difficult to see every single week that I am under scrutiny and judgement. But it’s not my decision to be here or not to be here.”
Whether Pochettino’s pointed message will quell the speculation surrounding his future at Chelsea remains to be seen. However, his ten-word challenge has certainly ignited a debate about the time and support required for managers to build success, particularly with young and developing squads.
