Warning from Mauricio Pochettino to Chelsea Owners Regarding Bernardo Cueva’s Arrival
Mauricio Pochettino, the head coach of Premier League side Brentford, has issued a warning to Chelsea’s owners regarding their decision to appoint Bernardo Cueva as the club’s new set-piece coach. Pochettino insists that he will have the final say on whether or not Cueva will be allowed to stand on the touchline during games.
Chelsea have reportedly agreed to pay around £750,000 in compensation to Brentford for the services of Cueva. The club sees the appointment as an opportunity to build a new set-piece department and improve their performance in dead-ball situations.
Until now, Chelsea did not have a dedicated set-piece coach, with goalkeeper coach Toni Jimenez taking the lead. However, other Premier League teams like Arsenal and Aston Villa have highly visible set-piece coaches on their touchline, often shouting instructions before set-pieces.
Pochettino, who previously downplayed the importance of set-piece coaches, has expressed his support for Cueva’s appointment. However, he wants to make it clear that the decision was not his and that he will ultimately decide whether or not the set-piece coach will have an active role during games.
The Argentine coach emphasized that he and his coaching staff already work on set-pieces and that they are not solely focused on the gym or tactical areas. He also mentioned that if Cueva’s arrival can contribute to the team’s improvement and help them win games, then they are very supportive.
Pochettino had previously questioned the value of specialist set-piece coaches, emphasizing that the quality of players and their ability to take set-pieces is crucial. He stated that having good takers is more important than having a specialist coach. However, he acknowledged that some teams have seen success by adding specialists to their coaching staff.
The head coach further emphasized that football belongs to the players and not just to the specialists. He cited the example of James Ward-Prowse at Southampton, highlighting how his exceptional set-piece abilities have made a significant difference for the team.
In conclusion, Mauricio Pochettino’s warning to Chelsea’s owners regarding Bernardo Cueva’s arrival as the new set-piece coach shows that he wants to maintain control over team decisions. While he is supportive of the appointment, he wants to ensure that it aligns with his coaching philosophy and that it will genuinely contribute to the team’s improvement. Pochettino believes that the quality of players and their ability to execute set-pieces are paramount, but he acknowledges that adding specialists can have a positive impact.