Pochettino Slams Neville’s Comments on Leeds’ Defeat to Chelsea
Mauricio Pochettino, the head coach of Chelsea, has criticized former Manchester United player Gary Neville for his comments on Chelsea’s recent defeat to Liverpool and their subsequent victory over Leeds United in the FA Cup. Pochettino’s remarks came after Conor Gallagher scored a last-minute winner against Leeds, helping Chelsea return to winning ways following their loss in the Carabao Cup final.
Neville had angered Chelsea fans by calling them ‘billion-pound bottlejobs’ after their loss to Liverpool. Even Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, defended Chelsea against Neville’s comments. Pochettino, in response to Neville’s criticism, stated that he believes Neville’s frustration stems from Liverpool winning another title. He also stated that it is unfair to accuse a young team like Chelsea of not meeting expectations, as building confidence takes time.
Pochettino went on to say that unity within the team is starting to grow and cannot be created magically. He emphasized that it is not fair for Neville to use such words and that Chelsea always fights for big things. The Chelsea head coach expressed his disagreement with Neville’s opinion during his post-match press conference.
In addition to addressing Neville’s comments, Pochettino also shared his thoughts on Mykhailo Mudryk, who scored in the first half against Leeds. Pochettino praised Mudryk’s talent but urged him to understand that football is a collective sport. He emphasized the importance of putting individual talent in the service of the team and highlighted the need for young players to recover their position, press, and work hard.
Overall, Pochettino expressed his satisfaction with Chelsea’s win against Leeds, considering the context of the week. He acknowledged that it was not an easy game, as Leeds is considered one of the best teams in the Championship. Pochettino emphasized the importance of building confidence again and learning from experiences like the final to improve every week. He also mentioned that the team’s spirit is good, and the relationship with the players is in a positive state.
In conclusion, Pochettino’s criticism of Neville’s comments and his encouragement for young players like Mudryk reflect his belief in the collective nature of football and the importance of building confidence within the team. Chelsea’s victory against Leeds is seen as a step in the right direction for the team, despite a less than stellar performance. With Pochettino at the helm, Chelsea aims to continue fighting for big things and improving week by week.