Mauricio Pochettino's Insights: Pre-Manchester United Press Conference Highlights.

Introduction:

Mauricio Pochettino, the renowned football manager of Chelsea, recently shared his thoughts and insights in a pre-match press conference ahead of their clash against Manchester United. In a candid conversation with the media, Pochettino discussed various topics ranging from player injuries to the upcoming challenges against a formidable opponent. Let's delve into the key points he addressed.

Assessment of Player Fitness:

Pochettino began by providing updates on the fitness of some key players. Christopher Nkunku, a prominent figure in the Chelsea squad, will not be part of the upcoming match. Pochettino emphasized the need for caution in the recovery process, highlighting the importance of assessing players on a day-to-day basis. Additionally, he mentioned minor injuries for Lesley and Noni, expressing hope for their swift return to training.

Mauricio Pochettino Mauricio Pochettino on Christopher Nkunku: "No, tomorrow he won't [be involved]. Hope soon. But he is not involved for tomorrow. I think it is like we always tell you, it's about assessing day by day. Sometimes we get excited and we want to have the player as soon as possible but I think we need to be careful. When he is ready, he will be with the squad."

"Lesley feel something last week. Minor injury. Noni after post-match Sunday also some minor problems. Hope that soon they will be available to train."

Facing Manchester United:

Expressing his anticipation for the game, Pochettino acknowledged the significance of playing at Old Trafford against a formidable team like Manchester United. Despite not labeling it as an opportune moment, he emphasized the importance of readiness to compete against a tough opponent. Pochettino mentioned the desire to build on their recent performance against Brighton and climb higher in the league table.

Mauricio Pochettino: "Always it is good to play in Old Trafford. Amazing team. Always a good opportunity. I don't say it's a good moment to go there. The most important is to be ready to compete against a tough team. We want to build from Brighton and go higher in the table..."

Focus on Chelsea's Progress:

Pochettino maintained a focus on his current role at Chelsea, refraining from comparisons with other clubs. He highlighted the ongoing process of building a successful team and expressed confidence in the gradual development of something remarkable for the club.

Mauricio Pochettino: "I am focused on my club here. We need to do much better. That is only a process I can explain and not compare to another club. Step by step, little by little, we believe we are building something amazing for the club..."

Respectful Silence on Manchester United:

When asked about Manchester United, Pochettino maintained a respectful stance, refusing to discuss matters concerning the rival club. He emphasized the need to stay focused on the tasks at hand within Chelsea, showcasing his dedication to the club.

Mauricio Pochettino: "I don't want to talk what is going on there because it's not my duty. I need to be focused because we have many things to do here. I am respectful."

Contentment at Chelsea:

Addressing a question about the Manchester United managerial position, Pochettino asserted his contentment at Chelsea. He declined to comment extensively on the matter, emphasizing the need for respect towards other clubs.

Mauricio Pochettino on being glad he didn't get Man United job: "Again, I won't talk about, you laugh but you try to make me talk too much and make a mistake. We need to be respectful with another club. I am not the person to talk. If you ask if I'm happy here? Yes, of course."

Analyzing Recent Performances:

Pochettino took a moment to reflect on Chelsea's recent performance against Brighton, highlighting the team's character and resilience. He expressed pride in the players' efforts, especially after a challenging game against Newcastle.

Mauricio Pochettino: "Only one is one game versus Newcastle where we were disappointed. We expected a different performance. In five months, it was only one. We were consistent in performance, we didn't get the results."

Mauricio Pochettino on character vs Brighton: "It was good for us. When you analyse, we feel proud. After Newcastle, it was a tough game for us. We was tired after the game. The players deserved more credit. To play more than 60 minutes with one less player..."

Challenges Posed by Manchester United:

Acknowledging the threats posed by Manchester United, Pochettino emphasized the need for careful and clever strategies in dealing with the offensive pace of players like Rashford and Garnacho. He highlighted the importance of intelligent build-up play and defensive awareness.

Mauricio Pochettino on Man Utd's biggest threat: "Very good players. The pace of the offensive. We need to be careful in the way we are going to build up. We need to be clever. When they recover the ball, they have Rashford and Garnacho who can transit really fast."

Squad Dynamics:

Pochettino touched upon the challenges posed by injuries, leading to a not-so-massive squad. Despite the constraints, he expressed satisfaction with the available squad and hinted at involving young talents from the academy in the upcoming match.

Mauricio Pochettino: "Not massive [squad]. We are happy with the squad. We deal with too many injuries, unexpected, that's the problem. You see tomorrow, many young guys in the academy will be involved [in the squad]."

Erik ten Hag Appreciation:

Pochettino spoke highly of Erik ten Hag, acknowledging him as a fantastic coach. He recalled facing Ten Hag's Ajax during his tenure with Tottenham, where the coach and the team garnered significant attention.

Mauricio Pochettino  on Erik ten Hag: "He's a fantastic coach. When we face in Tottenham against Ajax, everyone was talking about Ajax or him. For me, a fantastic coach.

Midfield Adjustments:

In light of injuries affecting the midfield, Pochettino reassured the media that adjustments would be made. While acknowledging limited options, he conveyed confidence in the team's ability to deliver a strong performance.

Mauricio Pochettino: "It's not going to change too much [midfield without Gallagher and Ugochukwu]. If you see the squad available, it's not difficult to see what my choices [are]. Not too many options, but I am happy. I am sure we are going to do a good game

Preserving the Winning Culture: Pochettino emphatically states, "We don’t want to change the culture. We want to build something, a project." His words reflect a deep respect for Chelsea's rich history of success and the inherent winning mentality ingrained in the club's DNA. The Argentine manager recognizes that attempting to alter a culture centered around winning is futile, opting instead to enhance and elevate it through a collaborative project.

"If you ask me here if I want to change the culture here? No. We are here to try to build a project together with the new owners, the sporting director, and the club, altogether. It’s a project. It’s not a culture."

A New Project Unveiled: Pochettino outlines the essence of the project, emphasizing collaboration with the new owners, the sporting director, and the entire club. He asserts that the venture is not about changing the existing culture but about evolving it in a way that befits the current context. The project represents a new chapter for Chelsea, a different approach to success that builds upon the club's strong foundation.

"We don’t want to change the culture. We want to build something, a project. The culture of Chelsea is about winning. How we are going to change a culture in a club that is about winning? No, no, no." "The culture here is to win and now we need to be at this level. Is it a different project from the past? Of course. A different way to approach things? Of course. But the culture of Chelsea is to win."

Strategic Tweaks and Learning from Mistakes: During discussions, Pochettino delves into the tactical nuances of the game, addressing issues such as the increase in yellow cards due to rule changes. He highlights the importance of being clever on the field, adapting to new regulations, and learning from mistakes. The manager uses specific instances, like Nicolas Jackson's yellow card for questioning a referee's decision, to underscore the need for astuteness in player conduct.

"We were talking in the meeting and showed the clips of the yellow cards. There are too many because they changed the rules. We need to be clever. We receive too many bookings like this..." "We were even talking about Nicolas Jackson, a yellow card he received for complaining to the referee. The opponent made a foul and didn’t receive a yellow card. But you complain about why that's not a yellow card and it's a yellow card..."

Embracing Truth and Toughness: Pochettino's coaching philosophy is apparent in his commitment to truthfulness. He notes, "Sometimes people don’t want the truth. But if we want the best sometimes we need to tell the truth." This extends to his interactions with players, where constructive criticism is a means to improvement. The manager acknowledges the external criticism he receives but maintains a resolute stance, stating that paying undue attention to external voices is counterproductive.

"We need to be clever and improve in this area. We cannot be silly and repeat, repeat, repeat the same mistakes." "Sometimes people don’t want the truth. But if we want the best sometimes we need to tell the truth. Sometimes the truth's not what people want. Players are the same. If they make a mistake we tell them. We’re tough..." "I receive criticism in social media, the media, through my emails, through direct messages and calls – come on! We are the first to feel that, but you cannot pay attention to this..."

Conclusion:

Mauricio Pochettino's pre-Manchester United press conference provided valuable insights into the team's mindset, challenges, and strategies. As PSG gears up for a crucial match, Pochettino's words reflect a blend of caution, optimism, and respect, showcasing his commitment to steering PSG toward success. The football world eagerly awaits the outcome of this high-stakes clash at Old Trafford.