‘Mouricio Pochettino does not know how to manage a big club; otherwise, why would you put a player like him on the bench when he wants to win games against Brentford, who have Ivan Toney with five straight home victories?’ Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta refers to Pochettino as a ‘BABY COACH’ for benching the £75 million player in yesterday’s Brentford draw.

John Obi Mikel, a former Chelsea legend, has issued a cautionary note to Mauricio Pochettino regarding his future at Stamford Bridge. Despite Pochettino’s accomplishments in cup competitions, the Chelsea manager has faced significant pressure in his inaugural season due to the team’s middling position in the league standings.

In a recent victory over Leeds United, Chelsea secured a spot in the FA Cup quarterfinals, providing a moment of relief after their defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final. Drawing Leicester City in the upcoming round presents another challenge for the Blues.

Currently trailing by 17 points from the top four and nine from the top six, Chelsea’s prospects for European football next season appear slim, making success in the tournament crucial. Mikel shared his perspective on Chelsea’s chances in European competitions, acknowledging the difficulty of securing a top-four finish and emphasizing the importance of a winning streak to secure a Europa League spot.

While Mikel acknowledges the significant achievement of reaching the Europa League, he also highlights the disappointment of falling short in the final stages of competitions. The looming decisions of Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali regarding Chelsea’s future could potentially reshape the club’s European ambitions, casting doubt on Pochettino’s sole influence in such matters.

Reflecting on the intense scrutiny and expectations at Chelsea, Mikel suggests that managers must deliver results consistently to thrive at the club. He acknowledges the necessity of winning trophies and games, drawing parallels to his own experiences as a player at Chelsea.

Despite the criticism directed towards Pochettino, Mikel acknowledges the importance of giving managers time to develop and improve the team’s performance. He believes that extended periods allow managers to refine their skills, foster team cohesion, and ultimately achieve better results on the pitch.