Mauricio Pochettino finds himself facing intense pressure at Chelsea yet again as the team navigates through frequent crises at Stamford Bridge. Despite a commendable rebound from a damaging loss to Newcastle with a victory against Brighton, the recent performance against Manchester United has cast a shadow over their progress.
The 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford has left Chelsea just three points ahead of 15th placed Bournemouth and five points adrift from West Ham above them. Everton would also be positioned higher than Pochettino’s side if not for their 10-point deduction. The gap to the top four or five seems insurmountable already, prompting doubts about the advancements made since Pochettino took charge.
When questioned about progress before their Everton match, Pochettino emphasized the challenges faced day by day and game by game, highlighting the team’s better understanding of the club, the squad, injured players, and improved relationships within the staff as significant progress.
For a club renowned for its winning tradition and trophy-laden history over the past two decades, this abstract improvement fails to satisfy fans accustomed to greater achievements. This dissatisfaction was evident when both players and Pochettino, most of whom have been at the club for less than a year, were jeered off the pitch.
While a more favorable fixture list lies ahead for Pochettino, the fans’ patience wears thin. A group of football.london writers dissect the issues plaguing the head coach and speculate on potential resolutions for the future.