Mauricio Pochettino admits Chelsea ‘mistake’ as he calls out fans for ‘flat’ atmosphere

Mauricio Pochettino believes a lack of ‘fan interaction’ is why Chelsea endures a ‘flat’ atmosphere during the games

Ahead of the Carabao Cup clash vs Middlesborough, Mauricio Pochettino believes that the Chelsea team has a partial role to play in half-hearted support from the fans this season, according to Football London. The Blues boss did not shy away from taking the responsibility in terms of engaging with the fans. He said:

“In a few periods in some games, like Brentford or Nottingham Forest, the energy was really down because the team didn’t engage [with] the fans. That is our mistake. But in the rest of the games — Arsenal, [Manchester] City, Brighton, Liverpool — I think the fans were really good.”

The Spurs boss also blamed his predecessors, particularly Graham Potter and Thomas Tuchel, for the ‘flat’ reaction from the stands. He added,

“We are paying now for the effect of 18 months. We have been here for six months and sometimes for us it is difficult to appreciate or to compare”

Chelsea will face Middlesbrough in the second-leg of the EFL clash with a deficit of 1-0
Chelsea will face Middlesbrough in the second-leg of the EFL clash with a deficit of 1-0

The Chelsea gaffer also said that the club is doing good presently but the fans require more convincing performances, especially because of the poor performances built up over the last 18 months.

Pochettino vs Tuchel vs Potter

Media outlet 90 MIN compared Chelsea’s performance after the first 11 games under various managers. Graham Potter had the worst record among all with just 15 points (W4 D3 L4). Thomas Tuchel followed him with 22 points (W6 D4 L1). Maurizio Sarri was the best among the lot with 27 points (W8 D3 L0) off 11 games.

Mauricio Pochettino has a terrible starting record by the same standard as well. Chelsea collected only 15 points (W4 D3 L4), as much as they did under Graham Potter, with the Argentine as their boss. The former Spurs boss, however, blames the club’s former managers.

We cannot rule out the possibility that Pochettino is indeed cleaning out the mess left by his predecessors. We witnessed the series of signings done by Frank Lampard. Then multiple strategic shuffles under Thomas Tuchel and of course, the fall-out under Graham Potter.

Chelsea under Graham Potter registered a poor start to the campaign
Chelsea under Graham Potter registered a poor start to the campaign. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

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The team management trusts Mauricio Pochettino and as it appears, so do the fans. The EFL semifinal clash taking place tonight is crucial for the Blues and their boss. The title could probably make or break the club further.