Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has described Mauricio Pochettino as an “outstanding” manager ahead of Monday night’s game at Stamford Bridge.
Pochettino is under huge pressure following a series of disappointing results this season and the Blues find themselves in the bottom half of the Premier League and facing the possibility of missing out on European football for the second consecutive season.
Having dropped points against Brentford last time out the Argentine and his side desperately need to return to winning ways on Monday.
This will be the third time the sides have met this season with Newcastle winning 4-1 at St James Park and Chelsea winning on penalties in the Carabao Cup quarter final.
Despite the pressure his opposite number finds himself under Howe was full of Praise for Pochettino which the 52 year old might take some comfort from.
Speaking in his pre match press conference Howe said: “Chelsea have definitely improved throughout the season, they have got better and better, they have top quality players and an outstanding manager. We know it will be a very difficult game against a team that is dangerous, but as always, the focus is on us.”
Despite the praise from Howe, recent reports have said that Chelsea are already sounding out replacements for Pochettino with Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi two names believed to be under consideration.
