Marc Cucurella backs Mauricio Pochettino to continue at Chelsea
Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella has come to the defense of manager Mauricio Pochettino in the wake of their recent 5-0 defeat to Arsenal. Cucurella emphasized that the responsibility lies with the players’ attitude on the pitch rather than solely with Pochettino.
The heavy loss to Arsenal prompted intense scrutiny of Pochettino’s leadership, but Cucurella believes the focus should shift to the players’ performance. Despite the setback, Chelsea showed resilience in their subsequent match against Aston Villa, rallying from behind to secure a hard-fought 2-2 draw.
The match against Villa could have seen Chelsea clinch a victory if not for a controversial decision by VAR to disallow Axel Disasi’s goal. Nonetheless, the team’s fighting spirit was evident, earning praise from Cucurella. Despite ongoing speculation surrounding Pochettino’s future, Cucurella expressed confidence (h/t Evening Standard) in the Argentine manager’s ability to lead Chelsea forward.
“When we lose 5-0, I don’t think the manager can do anything. I think it is more about us (the players) and our attitude. He has helped a lot of us, he has good communication skills, and the team supports him. We are in a good way.
The defeat to Arsenal was indeed crushing, and it’s natural for fans to react strongly to such a result. In hindsight, adjustments to tactics could have mitigated the damage and limited the goals conceded. The fans’ frustration is understandable, given the magnitude of the loss.
Our inability to shift gears mid-match has been a sore point this season. However, while we have crafted enough opportunities, the lack of cutting edge in the final third has proved decisive. After all, the game against Arsenal could have turned out differently had we made our dominance count in the first half.
Players may face criticism when their performance falls short, regardless of the manager’s strategy. Take the FA Cup semifinal loss to Manchester City, for instance. Despite a winnable scenario, missed opportunities from the players led to the unfavorable outcome.
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It’s encouraging to witness the continued support for Pochettino among his players. The path ahead won’t be without its challenges for both the Argentine and Chelsea. However, maintaining a united front with a clear objective in mind can pave the way for a bright future for the Blues.