(Reuters) – Mauricio Pochettino, the manager of Chelsea, expressed that the period following their loss to Liverpool in the League Cup final has been particularly challenging. The team has had a tough season, with only 10 wins out of 25 league games, struggling to find consistency and currently sitting at 11th place in the Premier League. However, the 1-0 defeat after extra time at Wembley has been a significant blow for them.
Pochettino shared in a press conference before their upcoming league game against Brentford, “Maybe yes, because we feel disappointed and we had faith in our ability to win. We were so close and after 90 minutes I think we were the best side. But we didn’t keep the energy after 90 minutes and that’s when we lost the game.”
Following the loss, Chelsea needed to bounce back quickly for their FA Cup fifth round game against Leeds United, which they managed to win 3-2. Pochettino mentioned having meetings with the players to lift their spirits and address their disappointment.
He said, “We met after the game, in a different place, not at Wembley. The players started to feel in good spirits, but in some points disappointed and painful. But Monday and Tuesday they were very open. They all wanted to play, even if some of them were really tired and with some problems. That speaks very highly of our squad and players.”
Two key players who missed both the League Cup final and the midweek game are defenders Thiago Silva and Marc Cucurella. Silva has been absent for the last three games, while Cucurella has been sidelined since December due to ankle surgery.
“We need to assess him (Silva) and Marc Cucurella. Maybe it is possible to be involved in the squad, it’s good news,” Pochettino stated. On the other hand, Christopher Nkunku, a French forward, will also be out of the upcoming game due to a hamstring injury.
Pochettino explained, “He suffered a problem in his hamstring and we will see in a few weeks if he is available. Unlucky, because to suffer again another injury is tough for a player that didn’t play too much during the season and also came from Germany with some problems.”
Chelsea is set to face Brentford, currently in 16th place, in their upcoming match on Saturday. Despite the challenges they’ve faced this season, Pochettino remains optimistic about the team’s abilities and their determination to bounce back from setbacks.
(Reporting by Trevor Stynes; Editing by Toby Davis)
