Pochettino is safe while Europe in Chelsea sights
Mauricio Pochettino’s position as head coach of Chelsea is not expected to be put in any jeopardy while the club retain a realistic chance of qualifying for Europe.
Chelsea lost the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie 1-0 against Championship club Middlesbrough and head into Saturday’s derby against Fulham in 10th place in the Premier League.
But Pochettino’s team are only three points behind seventh-placed Brighton and six points short of West Ham United – who are sixth and have an injury crisis – and are still in the FA Cup, which offers a route to the Europa League.
Beating Middlesbrough and going on to win the Carabao Cup would guarantee a place in the Europa Conference League. While there is no financial incentive to playing in the Conference League, the lowest-ranking European competition, it would offer tangible evidence of progress from last season’s 12th-place finish.
Chelsea sacked Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter last season as the club desperately chased unattainable targets, and there is an acceptance that mistakes were made. Co-controlling owners Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly spent a fortune last January in the belief they could effectively buy Champions League qualification, but there is already realism within the club over expectations this term.
While the defeat by Middlesbrough was a setback, there have been encouraging signs of progress under Pochettino in recent weeks. Chelsea have lost only once at Stamford Bridge in 10 games and had won three successive matches for only the second time this season ahead of Tuesday’s loss. Pochettino’s team are short of a goalscorer, and the chronic lack of leadership within his young squad was again highlighted at the Riverside Stadium.
Captain Reece James is recovering from surgery, while vice-captain Ben Chilwell has not played since September because of injury. Conor Gallagher has worn the armband in their absence, but even close allies of the midfielder do not describe him as a natural leader. James and Gallagher have both been sent off while captaining Chelsea this season, which has provoked questions about the strength of the so-called leadership group available to Pochettino.
Thiago Silva remonstrated with angry Chelsea supporters at Middlesbrough on Tuesday, but the 39-yearold, who speaks only limited English, has not worn the armband.