In a recent interview, Chelsea’s Mauricio Pochettino challenged the notion that he’s less stringent than his managerial peers like Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola.
As Chelsea languishes in the 15th spot in the Premier League, Pochettino’s management style and decision-making are coming under increasing scrutiny.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has rejected the perception that he is less resolute than his counterparts Mikel Arteta at Arsenal and Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
The Argentine’s comments come amid Chelsea’s disappointing start to the Premier League season, where they currently sit in 11th place. They have managed only two wins, two draws, and three losses in their first seven games of the 2023-24 campaign.
Pochettino, who took over Chelsea in June, was responding to observations that he may lack the tough decision-making seen at other top clubs.
Arteta recently dropped his first-choice goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale for summer signing David Raya, a move indicative of a no-nonsense approach.
“He [Arteta] is very tough and I am very nice? I think Pep and Mikel are the same, no? You cannot be nice for the people that don’t play,” Pochettino told Football Daily when questioned about his management style.
Before taking the reins at Chelsea, Pochettino was widely recognised as one of Europe’s top managers during his tenure at Tottenham Hotspur. However, he was unable to secure any trophies, prompting critics to question whether he was too ‘nice’ to make difficult decisions.
In contrast, Arteta and Guardiola are viewed as more relentless, uncompromising figures in the world of football management.
In terms of investments, Chelsea have not been frugal. Since the takeover by Todd Boehly in 2022, over £1 billion has been spent on new players. Pochettino was given carte blanche to bring in his own targets this summer.
However, newcomers like Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson have yet to make a significant impact. Pochettino’s squad has also been plagued by injuries to key players, particularly in defence. Reece James, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana are all currently unavailable due to injury.
Pochettino’s immediate future at Chelsea might hinge on his ability to turn the tide, especially given the substantial financial backing he has received. Since the takeover by Todd Boehly in 2022, over £1 billion has been spent on new players.
Pochettino was given carte blanche to bring in his own targets this summer. However, newcomers like Mykhailo Mudryk, Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson have yet to make a significant impact.