Currently positioned 11th in the Premier League standings, the Blues’ hopes of securing silverware this season dwindled following a lackluster performance against Liverpool at Wembley. Virgil van Dijk’s 118th-minute goal sealed Chelsea’s fate, marking their sixth consecutive domestic cup defeat—a record in English football. Pochettino’s cautious approach during extra time contributed to this defeat. Despite facing Liverpool’s injury-stricken lineup, Chelsea opted to sit back rather than press for a late winner in extra time. Their passive approach backfired when Van Dijk capitalized on a Kostas Tsimikas corner in the dying moments of the match. Pochettino’s post-match remarks further irked Chelsea supporters. Pochettino’s statement, “The team felt maybe the penalties would be good for us,” was met with strong criticism from Chelsea fans. One supporter expressed disbelief, labeling it as a sackable offense, especially against Liverpool’s weakened lineup. Others echoed similar sentiments, condemning Pochettino’s mindset as disgraceful and calling for his dismissal. Additionally, Chelsea fans noticed Pochettino’s disregard for co-owner Todd Boehly on the way to collect his runners-up medal. This incident sparked speculation among supporters that Pochettino’s job might be in jeopardy, with Boehly potentially considering his future following this latest controversy. Despite Boehly’s significant financial backing, exceeding €1 billion in transfers since his arrival in 2022, Chelsea has yet to see tangible returns on investment. This lack of success has fueled dissatisfaction among fans, raising questions about Pochettino’s suitability for the managerial role.
Currently sitting 11th in the Premier League standings, Chelsea’s aspirations for silverware this season took a hit after a lackluster performance against Liverpool at Wembley. Virgil van Dijk’s 118th-minute goal condemned Chelsea to their sixth consecutive domestic cup defeat, setting a new record in English football. Pochettino’s cautious tactics during extra time contributed to their downfall.
Despite facing a depleted Liverpool side due to injuries, Chelsea chose to adopt a defensive stance rather than push for a late winner in extra time. This strategy backfired when Van Dijk capitalized on a corner from Kostas Tsimikas in the dying moments of the game. Pochettino’s comments after the match added fuel to the fire for Chelsea supporters.
Pochettino’s remark that “The team felt maybe the penalties would be good for us,” drew strong criticism from Chelsea fans. One supporter went as far as to suggest that it was a sackable offense, especially considering Liverpool’s weakened lineup. Others shared similar sentiments, deeming Pochettino’s mindset disgraceful and calling for his dismissal.
Moreover, Chelsea fans noted Pochettino’s apparent snub of co-owner Todd Boehly while collecting his runners-up medal. This incident fueled speculation among supporters about Pochettino’s job security, with Boehly possibly reevaluating his position following this latest controversy.
Despite Boehly’s substantial financial investment, exceeding €1 billion in transfers since his arrival in 2022, Chelsea has yet to see significant returns on their investments. This lack of success has led to growing discontent among fans, prompting questions about Pochettino’s suitability for the managerial role.