Chelsea becomes the first-ever English side in football history to lose six consecutive domestic cup finals
When Chelsea faced Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, it was an opportunity to put the ghost of the two domestic cup losses to the Reds in 2021–22 to rest. The West Londoners started the game with confidence and had many chances to find the back of the net. But an inexperienced Mauricio Pochettino side came short and suffered another heartbreak at the hands of Liverpool.
But it was the same story: as the game went to extra time and penalties were approaching, Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk met Konstantinos Tsimikas’s corner in the 118th minute to head the ball home and give the Reds their 10th League Cup trophy. For us, it was a third straight trip to Wembley ruined by the Reds.
As per Squawka, following the defeat to Liverpool, Chelsea became the first side in English football history to lose six consecutive domestic cup finals. It was certainly not a record the club wanted to make.
It seems that since the change in ownership, Chelsea has faced significant challenges in their journey towards becoming a top-tier team. While reaching the final in Mauricio Pochettino’s first season as manager was a notable achievement, there have been concerns about his management and decision-making at the club. If these issues are not addressed, it could impede progress and potentially lead to his departure.
In the recent match, we performed much better against our opponents and created the top five big chances. However, our failure to convert these opportunities into goals can be attributed to Pochettino’s management. The lesser said about the negative approach in extra time, the better.
It’s evident that Pochettino’s decision-making, particularly in crucial moments like extra time, has come under scrutiny. Opting for a defensive approach when a more aggressive strategy could have led to a goal reflects a conservative mindset that might not always be suitable, especially against formidable opponents like Liverpool. Playing for penalties rather than actively seeking a goal can be perceived as a missed opportunity to capitalize on the momentum and secure a win during regular play.
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It’s crucial to acknowledge that there’s room for improvement and that adjustments are necessary to progress in the right direction. While there’s still time to make significant changes in the transfer market and strengthen the team, the potential for improvement is within reach. Despite current criticisms, achieving success in assembling a formidable team can quickly change perceptions and garner praise from those who currently doubt the club’s capabilities.