Mauricio Pochettino has warned it will take time for leaders to emerge from Chelsea’s young and inexperienced squad.
The Blues squad has an average age of just over 23, the second youngest in the Premier League behind Burnley and the Argentine has criticised his team for showing a lack of maturity this season.
Chelsea’s transfer strategy has shifted massively since Todd Boehly and Clearlake took over in May 2022 with the club now focused on signing the best young talent from around the world rather than ready made stars.
By replacing a lot of the experienced players in the squad with youngsters the squad clearly lacks balance, and it’s evident there’s a lack of leadership and know how with the Blues struggling to see out a number of games this season.
Pochettino has constantly defended the club’s recruitment strategy and has pointed out former players who took time to develop into leadership roles.
“John Terry was young”, the 52 year old said in quotes via the Press Association.
“I don’t believe when he was 18, 19 he was already a leader. Those players were in a different situation. Maybe they had some help when they were young, maybe they were in another project.
“We are in a project where 80 or 90 per cent of the players are young. They need to grow all together. They need some help. That’s why we are here, to help them in this process to become leaders.
“We’re talking about too many players that only arrived this season at Chelsea and in the Premier League.”
Despite disappointing draws with Burnley and Sheffield United the Blues are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League games, and are still in contention to win the FA Cup and qualify for European competition next season.
Tonight’s game is the beginning of a make or break run with Manchester City to come in the FA Cup semi final at Wembley on Saturday followed by trips to Arsenal and Aston Villa next week.
