Recently, Didier Drogba voiced his discontentment with the managerial approach of Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea. Drogba expressed his belief that under Pochettino’s leadership, the team lacks the fighting spirit that is essential for success. In his view, Pochettino seems unsure of his direction for the club, leading Drogba to advocate for the bold move of rehiring Jose Mourinho for a third term. This suggestion comes in the wake of Chelsea’s disappointing 11th place position in the Premier League, despite the club’s lavish spending of over £1 billion on new players. Such a situation has drawn criticism from fans and former players like Drogba.
Pochettino’s grip on his position as manager has only grown more tenuous following consecutive losses to Wolves and Liverpool. Some supporters have even called for his dismissal, evoking memories of Graham Potter’s short-lived tenure at Chelsea. However, despite the mounting pressure, the Chelsea management remains committed to Pochettino, who is under contract until 2025. Despite this, Drogba, a revered former Chelsea striker, has been particularly outspoken about his dissatisfaction with Pochettino’s demeanor, comparing it to that of a lifeless being.
In the aftermath of Chelsea’s recent match against Wolves, Drogba expressed his disappointment, highlighting various issues such as tactical disarray, a lack of fighting spirit, poor communication, and a lack of character. He specifically questioned Pochettino’s decision to deploy Christopher Nkunku as the lone striker, underlining Nkunku’s unsuitability for the position due to his playing style. Drogba criticized Pochettino’s refusal to adapt his strategy to suit the team’s strengths.
Following Jose Mourinho’s recent departure from Roma, speculation has arisen regarding his potential return to Chelsea, with bookmakers favoring him as the likely successor to Pochettino. Mourinho, who previously led Chelsea to eight championships, enjoys a strong rapport with the supporters. Another former player, Petit, believes that Mourinho’s return could inject the personality and character needed to address Chelsea’s ongoing issues.
The prospect of Mourinho returning alongside John Terry as his assistant manager has piqued the interest of Petit. He suggests that their combined experience and leadership qualities could greatly benefit the team. Petit emphasizes the importance of finding a manager who can effectively maximize the potential of the existing players, rather than constantly relying on new signings. According to Petit, Chelsea currently lacks a clear identity under Pochettino’s leadership, indicating the pressing need for a manager capable of establishing a coherent vision for the club.