Mauricio Pochettino has just spoken to the press after a second big win in a week for Chelsea.
He wasn’t getting carried away, but he was positive about the progress we were finally seeing made. Clearly the good results are helping him be a little more bullish about how things might turn. His job is on the line to degree, and he wants to show everyone his work when it’s being shone in a good light
He even went as far as to make a prediction about how this turning tide could go next.
“It’s going to be fast” was his assessment of how things might go now. Thanks to the “quality” we’ve got, the coach is confident we can continue to make rapid improvements. That must be especially true now that we’re getting numbers players back from injury. Things in life often work that way – very slowly, then very quickly.
Pochettino pointed to the generous way Noni Madueke had assisted Nicolas Jackson as an example of how well the team was gelling together. Frankly that sort of thing should be a given even in an under 8s team, but we saw more evidence in actual team play today that things are getting better.
You can see the coach speaking in the clip embedded here, with this quote coming after 6 minutes:
Another positive turning point
The addition of players like Malo Gusto and Christopher Nkunku today was a glorious sight, other other players are coming back and these final 3 games we will actually have options in the team.
No wonder Pochettino is confident that things can quickly go from good to great. A run of 5 wins to see out the season would leave him in a really strong position in any discussion about his future, and likely would guarantee Europa League football.
Let’s hope the owners are paying attention. The form, spirit and (there’s no other way to put it) swagger we’ve seen over the last few games is what you get when you hire an experienced manager and give him the breathing room to work with a young side for a full season. We’re seeing the confidence of this group rise with each successive game and it would be such a shame if the front office blew it all up by sacking Poch at season’s end. Time for the supporters to speak up (the same way the lads are speaking with their play) and make sure Poch is brought back to finish what he’s started! With a couple more smart additions (particularly some experience to make up for the departing Silva) this group has a very bright future ahead of them.