We are a different Chelsea – Pochettino says after beating Newcastle

Enzo Mauricio Pochettino
Photo: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images

Mauricio Pochettino insisted after the win over Newcastle that the Chelsea he’s currently managing is different from the one that won numerous trophies in the past.

The Chelsea boss made the claim while speaking after his side’s 3-2 Premier League win against Newcastle on Monday night.

Chelsea are still 11th after the win, but the result leaves them in a much-better position to move into the top half of the table if they can build on it.

Pochettino said after the match against Newcastle at Stamford Bridge: “I think we need to understand we are in Chelsea and of course when you are in a project that is completely different, some people can be confused. When people don’t want to listen, it is difficult, but we are trying to explain that we are in a different Chelsea, building something different and of course it is going to be tough.

“It’s about believing, even when it is in a tough situation, a tough circumstance, like when we were playing in the final for 120 minutes, after three days we play in the FA Cup and then against Brentford. In six days we play three very tough games and with all of the circumstances, nearly with the same team and the players were really tired.

“If that means we are a disaster, okay, but the most important thing is that it is not affecting us, it is not affecting the team. The team knew what they needed to do and we kept believing. I think win the game today, it is important for us and our fans to be a little bit more calm. If we don’t win next game then it is going to be again a problem, but that is Chelsea and the most important thing is to try and translate the reality.

“I don’t want again to explain the situation but some problems don’t exist. The problem is that the team needs to be more mature, the team needs to be more together. Today the defensive line played together for the first time – Malo Gusto, Axel Disasi, Trevoh Chalobah and Marc Cucurella. They were good, yes, but we made some mistakes because of this situation that they didn’t play together before.

“But that is not an excuse. That is a fact, that is a reality. The most important thing is to keep moving because we are not going to give up, be strong, and we all agree the fans are right to complain, of course, but we have no right to give up and say we don’t believe. No, no, no, it’s to show the character and to live with this type of situation and keep moving.

“Today was great to show the players fighting, performing, okay not maybe great, but yes of course caring about the team and in the end beating a team that last season was fighting for the Premier League, the top four and fighting in the Champions League. And this season have good players, it’s not easy, Newcastle are a very good team. Good credit to the team and to everyone.”