Optimism about Chelsea under Pochettino is gradually fading, and the Argentine coach must make a difference to reduce pressure on himself.

 

After only six matches since becoming Chelsea coach, it is clear that his current job is putting great pressure on Mauricio Pochettino. His image when introduced as Chelsea’s new head coach in July showed calm and confidence, but now, in the September rain, the Argentine looked very confused and depressed as he could not inspire the team to win three points against Bournemouth – a team expected to have difficulty in the relegation battle.

 

Of course, he is facing significantly difficult situations, as nearly half of the main players in the squad he hopes to use this season have been injured to varying degrees and durations. However, Chelsea’s shaky start still failed to inspire and ensure that the team’s fortunes would change rapidly. Pochettino’s role is to lead them through the storm, but it is still uncertain that he is on the right track.

Despite an injury list as long as Chelsea’s front line, Pochettino’s team selection for the match against Bournemouth surprised many. With Ben Chilwell only fit enough to sit on the bench and Marc Cucurella absent due to illness, midfielder Levi Colwill was forced to play at left-back in a 4-2-3-1 formation, while the 19-year-old midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu started instead of Cole Palmer, who was signed for £43m ($53m), and Enzo Fernandez started less than five days after making the 10,000km journey back to London after while competing at incredible altitudes in La Paz, Bolivia.

Pochettino has rightly assessed Chelsea’s current situation, with one win in five Premier League games and only five points from fifteen not telling the full story: “Given all the circumstances, I think we are doing the right things.” better than anyone could have expected. But Chelsea’s expectation is always to win. We are creating something that we need to believe in. There are young men who need to feel what it means to is to be a Chelsea player and that means playing in the Premier League.”