AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic offered to play in two friendlies before the Gold Cup, but wanted to be rested for the tournament itself.

However, Pochettino decided to leave the 26-year-old out of his squad for the friendlies with Turkey and Switzerland.

Pulisic has played 118 games for club and country since joining Milan from Chelsea in July 2023, but was criticised by former US internationals Landon Donovan and Alexi Lalas.

Speaking to CBS Sports on Thursday, Pulisic said that while he “respected” Pochettino’s decision he “didn’t understand it”, adding that those questioning his commitment to the national team were “way out of line”.

“Players [do] not need to understand or not understand,” Pochettino said on Saturday. “Players need to listen and to stick with our plan. They cannot dictate the plan.

“The most important thing is that we explained why we decided not to include [him] in the two friendly games.

“Then if you have some problems, no, that is not my problem to understand. I am the head coach, I am not a mannequin.”

USA lost 2-1 to Turkey and 4-0 to Switzerland, meaning they have suffered four straight defeats before their Gold Cup opener against Trinidad and Tobago in San Jose on Sunday.

Postecoglou, 59, was sacked on Friday, despite leading the club to their first piece of silverware in 17 years with victory in the Europa League.

Pochettino, whose five-year stay at the club came to an end in November 2019, has been linked with a return to Tottenham.

But the Argentine, who was appointed US manager in October 2024, says he is happy in his new role.

“Today it’s not realistic,” said Pochettino, 53. “Look where I am. Look where we (his backroom staff) are. The answer is so clear.

“I think, since I left in 2019, my name has always been on the list [of rumours].

“I’ve seen the rumours, we are 100 coaches on the list. Don’t be worried about that.

“If something happens [in the future], you for sure will see, but I am so happy in this moment and we cannot talk about this type of thing.”

Pochettino was speaking after the United States were beaten 2-1 by Turkey in Connecticut.

It was the side’s third straight defeat, leaving Pochettino with five wins and four losses from nine matches in charge.

The United States are hosting the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico.

During his time in north London, Pochettino helped Spurs reach the final of the Champions League in 2019, as well as to a second-place finish in the Premier League in 2017.

Brentford manager Thomas Frank is a leading contender to replace Postecoglou, while there is interest in Fulham coach Marco Silva.

The former Tottenham and Chelsea boss – who left the Blues by mutual consent at the end of last season – will lead USA into their home World Cup in 2026, when the tournament will be played across the States, Canada and Mexico.

This will be the first international role for Pochettino, 52, who has also managed Espanyol, Southampton and Paris Saint-Germain during his 15-year, distinguished coaching career.

Pochettino replaces Gregg Berhalter, who was dismissed after USA failed to qualify from their group at this summer’s Copa America.

“The decision to join U.S. Soccer wasn’t just about football for me; it’s about the journey that this team and this country are on,” Pochettino said.

Introducing… #USMNT Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino 🇺🇸

— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) September 10, 2024

“The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here – those are the things that inspired me. The opportunity to lead the U.S. Men’s National Team, in front of fans who are just as passionate as the players, is something I couldn’t pass up.

Berhalter, 51, was axed in the wake of USA’s group-stage elimination from the Copa America.

US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker has been leading the search for a successor.

German side Hoffenheim released a statement on Tuesday from their manager, New Jersey-born Pellegrino Matarazzo, stating he was committed to the club after intense speculation he was close to being appointed.

Crocker spent time at Southampton when Pochettino was in charge at St Mary’s.

Along with others, it is understood the 52-year-old Argentine has spoken to US officials. Sources have said the idea of naming the former Tottenham, Paris St-Germain and Chelsea boss has not been dismissed, even though he would command a high salary.

The USA next have a friendly against Copa America semi-finalists Canada on 7 September.

Canada coach, and former Leeds United boss, Jesse Marsch was also spoken to about the USA job prior to Berhalter being re-appointed in June.

In the wake of Berhalter’s dismissal, Marsch subsequently said he had “no interest” in the vacancy and wouldn’t have without a shift in US Soccer as an organisation.

Moises Caicedo’s superb strike from 50 yards along with Raheem Sterling’s finish earned Chelsea a 2-1 win and a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League.

Chelsea have currently qualified for a place in the Europa Conference League but if Manchester City win the FA Cup would enter the Europa League instead.

Newcastle United will have to wait on their European fate, knowing seventh will earn them a place in the Europa Conference League if Manchester City win the FA Cup.

Manchester United missed out on qualifying for Europe through their league position after finishing eighth – their worst Premier League finish – described by manager Erik ten Hag as “not good enough”.

However, all is not lost for his side as a win over Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday would secure a spot in the Europa League.

‘It is hard to celebrate’

Pochettino joined a Chelsea side that had finished 12th last season but knew the target for this campaign was European qualification.

With big money signings in Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku – sights might have been set on a return to the Champions League but European football in any form looked unlikely for much of the season.

However, a run of seven wins from their last 10 games pushed them up the table in the season’s final weeks.

“I am so happy with the run in the last part of the season,” Pochettino told Sky Sports. “Credit to the players and that is how we want to compete.

“For the history of Chelsea, it is hard to celebrate but it is the first step to achieve bigger things after. We are really close.

“Season-by-season, it is about improving. We know how we need to compete next season. We have a young squad but with more experience in the Premier League now.”

‘It’s all about trophies’ – ‘not good enough’ from Man Utd

IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES

Image caption: Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag applauding the away support

Despite picking up three points with a 2-0 win at Brighton, Manchester United ended the season with their lowest finish in the Premier League.

Of their league campaign, Ten Hag told Sky Sports: “It’s difficult but we talked before over this and it was a very tough season but by the end, it is not good enough.

“We have a good opportunity going into the [FA Cup] final [against Manchester City], it’s a huge achievement but if you are in a final you want to win. It’s all about trophies and the opportunity to lift the cup.”

And speaking to BBC Match of the Day, he added: “Although we had less than 60 points, two years ago, 58 points, eighth is the worst performance.

“It is the truth but we should have done better. We know the reasons behind, everyone knows, but it is not the right moment to go into it. It’s not good enough.”

The Blues boss called for an end to the “stupid rumours” following his side’s victory against Tottenham last week.

But the Argentine says he and his coaching staff must be on the same page as the owners if he’s to continue at the club.

Pochettino said the “organisation of the club is building” and that “we are all under assessment”.

Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly said on Thursday that his plans for the club are “coming together” but Pochettino has made clear that conversations with the club’s board at the end of the season should include his input.

“If we are happy, perfect,” said 52-year-old Pochettino.

“But it is not only if the owners are happy or the sporting directors happy… You need to ask us also, because maybe (we) say ‘we are not happy’ and we accept the situation and we need to split,” Pochettino said.

“It is not going to be the first time the coaching staff at the end of the season decide to not keep going. But at this end, it is always the opposite way, it is always the owners or the sporting directors.”

Pochettino, who has also managed Tottenham Hotspur and Paris St-Germain, said “two parties” are needed to “make a decision”.

“Maybe we are not happy because we arrive here with a job to do and in the end it has not happened,” he added. “I am not saying I am not happy.

“If we split it’s not a problem, it will not be the end of the world.”

Chelsea, currently seventh in the Premier League, travel to Nottingham Forest on Saturday and Brighton on Wednesday before finishing the season at home against Bournemouth on 19 May.

Nicolas Jackson scored twice, while Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher and Noni Madueke were also on target as the Blues leapfrogged Manchester United into seventh place with three games remaining.

Pochettino’s side, who made it back-to-back wins in the space of three days following their 2-0 success over Tottenham on Thursday, are finishing the season strongly, having now lost just one of their last 12 matches.

The Blues came under scrutiny during their 6-0 rout of Everton last month, when Jackson and Madueke were involved in an altercation following a disagreement over who should take a penalty, with the responsibility eventually going to regular taker Palmer.

However, three weeks on, the pair combined to positive effect with Madueke unselfishly squaring the ball for Jackson to tap in the first of his two goals, despite being one-on-one with West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola.

And Pochettino believes that action epitomises the growth his side are demonstrating as the season draws towards a conclusion.

“[We are] so pleased, so happy. The players deserve big credit, to play again after a few days and to play again at this level,” he said, as reported by Football London.

“We received criticism for the situation with the penalty against Everton, but a young team needs to make mistakes to improve.

“It was a great action from Noni [squaring the ball for Jackson’s first goal] to see how the group is starting to believe. It is always a process that takes time. It can take one month, six months or one year.

“People who know about football know the process of building a team is the most difficult thing. You need to have the capacity to emphasise with every single player.

“They need to trust in us, in the coaching staff. That is the most important thing, and then you need to start to identify what the players need. This process always takes time.”

Discussing Chelsea’s hopes of qualifying for Europe, Pochettino said: “From the beginning of the season, I said we should win because we are Chelsea.

“We need to be mature, keep the momentum and look to improve every single game. We are trying to be in Europe; it will be good for the team and the players to be in Europe this season.”

Pochettino, 52, signed a two-year contract with the option of a further year when he was appointed last May.

However, Chelsea have had an inconsistent season and their manager has had to deal with a number of injuries to key players and the inexperience of a young squad.

Chelsea have spent heavily in three of the past four transfer windows since the Clearlake ownership group took over the club in May 2022, spending more than £1bn on new players.

The Blues hierarchy planned for European football at Stamford Bridge next season, which Pochettino can still achieve.

And there is understanding at the top of the club that the manager has not been able to use his full squad this season because of injury problems.

“I wanted to say that it is enough with this type of rumours, that if I have one year more [under] contract here and no-one says nothing [to me], [I] suppose I’m going to be here,” Pochettino said.

“Only if then, the season finishes and someone says to me ‘ciao’… Because we don’t know at the moment. I suppose that I have one more year contract and that I am going to be here. Enough about the stupid rumours.

“You need to ask the club if they want me to keep going or not, not to write things that have no sense.”

The match between Chelsea and Pochettino’s former club Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Thursday will be the Argentine’s 400th in English football.

The 52-year-old had spells at Southampton and Spurs before taking charge of the Blues at the beginning of this season.

“Amazing. I think it is a dream come true. For me, to think and to come here to England and become a coach here, it was impossible thinking but after the decision of my wife and my friend here Jesus [Perez],” Pochettino said.

“They convinced me to join Southampton.

“That was one of the best decisions in my life to come here to England and enjoy this great football country. Of course, I feel really comfortable. It is like home.”

Pochettino spent five years in charge of Tottenham before he was sacked in 2019.

During that time he led them to the Champions League final in the 2018-19, the League Cup final in his first full season and to second place in the Premier League in 2017.

While Chelsea’s owners have spent about £1bn on transfers since buying the club in 2022, Pochettino’s side sit ninth in the Premier League and five points off a probable European qualification spot.

Some fans have been critical of the manager, though there have been results which hint at promise from his young side.

Chelsea beat Tottenham 4-1 earlier this season and it was the first time that Pochettino had come up against his former club.

“It was special when we played there because it was my first time after I left the club but now it is different,” he said.

“It is always emotional because we are going to meet people we worked with for a long period.

“Yes, I cannot hide my emotion for the club and I think it is going to be emotional.”

Pochettino’s side came from two goals down to draw and dent Villa’s top-four hopes but Disasi thought he had sealed victory when he nodded home Benoit Badiashile’s cross in the 95th minute.

The video assistant referee (VAR) recommended an on-field review and referee Craig Pawson decided that Badiashile had barged a Villa defender before the cross.

Chelsea’s players were incensed and crowded Pawson at the full-time whistle, while Pochettino had a passionate discussion with Villa defender Ezri Konsa.

“They didn’t see a foul on the pitch and then VAR changed the decision of the referee,” Pochettino told BBC Match of the Day.

“For me that was a normal challenge. The decision was there and that’s it.

“For me it damaged a little bit the Premier League and English [football]. If we want to be the best league in the world it should be protecting the spectacle and the decision.

“It damaged myself, damaged my team, my players, my fans.”

Villa, whose top-four hopes are now not in their hands as a result of the dropped points, had taken an early lead after John McGinn’s miscued effort deflected off Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella and into the bottom corner.

The visitors responded well with Nicolas Jackson having an effort disallowed by the video assistant referee for offside, before the Senegal international planted a header against the base of the post.

Morgan Rogers doubled the home side’s lead after finding space on the left and tucking the ball into the near post through the legs of Trevoh Chalobah.

Chelsea found a route back into the game after catching Villa in possession high up the pitch, with Noni Madueke sliding a clever finish into the far corner.

The visitors pressed for an equaliser without creating too many opportunities, until Gallagher worked a shooting opportunity on his left foot and curled into the top corner from the edge of the area.

Both sides had chances to win the game before the disallowed goal, with Ollie Watkins slicing a cutback over the bar and Cole Palmer having a shot saved when dribbling through one-on-one.

Unai Emery’s side are seven points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham, but Ange Postecoglu’s side have three games in hand, starting with Sunday’s north London derby against Arsenal.

There was further concern for Villa too, with goalkeeper Emi Martinez withdrawn at half-time after appearing to struggle with a thigh injury in the first period, and any period of absence could damage them with their Europa Conference League semi-final this week.

Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke argued over who would take a spot-kick, which Cole Palmer – Chelsea’s regular taker – scored for his fourth goal.

“I can’t accept this kind of behaviour,” said Pochettino.

“I told them it’s the last time I want to see this kind of behaviour.”

He added: “It is impossible to have this type of behaviour after this performance. If we want to be a great team, we need to change and think in a collective way.”

Palmer won the 64th minute penalty for the Blues and is their usual taker, with this his ninth successful spot-kick of the season.

Madueke initially took the ball, after his row with Jackson, and would not hand it to Palmer. Captain Conor Gallagher grabbed the ball off him and gave it to the England international. But Jackson then came over and tried to take the ball off Palmer, who had to shove the striker away before placing the ball on the spot.

Pochettino said afterwards that all the players know Palmer is the designated penalty taker.

“The penalty taker is Palmer. It’s Palmer who needs to decide if he wants to give the ball to a team-mate. It’s important to fix. They realise now,” the Argentine said.

“It’s a shame. It’s a process for a young team who need to learn a lot. I want to apologise to the fans.

“They need to learn and be professional. We need to be focused on the collective. It’s a clear example that it’s a process we still need to learn.”

Palmer has converted all nine penalties he has taken in the Premier League with only former Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure, has a better 100% conversion rate – from 11 penalties – in the competition’s history.

Palmer himself tried to play down the incident afterwards.

“Other players wanted to take it, but I am the penalty taker and I wanted to take it,” the ex-Manchester City player said.

“I think we are showing everyone wants to take responsibility. It may be a bit over the top, but everyone wants to win – we are laughing and joking about it.”

Everton midfielder Dele Alli, watching the game for Sky Sports as he continues his recovery from a long-term injury, saw it differently.

This was Palmer’s second home hat-trick in a row, having scored a 100th-minute penalty in a 4-3 win over Manchester United earlier this month.

“This is them showing their age. I’m not there at the training ground every day, but as far as I’m aware in their last big game, in the last minute when the pressure was on I didn’t see them all fighting to take it then,” he said.

“It’s alright when it’s 4-0 and you all want to get on the scoresheet.”

The 21-year-old’s last two goals came in stoppage time, with the winner the latest scored in Premier League history, coming at 100 minutes 39 seconds.

Palmer is now one of four players on 16 goals in the Premier League this season and just two behind Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot.

When he signed for Chelsea on deadline day for a deal worth £42.5m some eyebrows were raised at the fee, however, that now looks like a bargain.

“One of the best skills is his mentality and his capacity to deal with the pressure,” Pochettino said.

“He’s young and I think it’s his first season playing very consistently. I think it’s amazing how he is dealing with the pressure. That is all that can be a very good player.

“With the performance today it’s impossible to say that he’s not a top player.”

Palmer’s form has earned him a senior England debut this season and given him a chance of making the final squad when Gareth Southgate’s side head to the Euros this summer.

He has six goals in his last four Premier League games and has provided two assists in that time as he continues to be the standout player in this Chelsea team.

“The impact is amazing. He is doing a fantastic job, it is difficult to talk more about him. Today he showed the mentality and the quality,” Pochettino said.

“I said ‘Cole, two minutes more and to believe’.”

Palmer’s hat-trick is his first in senior football, while only Yaya Toure (11) and Dimitar Berbatov (nine) have taken more penalties in the league and scored every one than Palmer’s eight so far this season.

“Crazy game. When we scored in the 98th minute I thought ‘let’s go for it’. Madness,” Palmer said.

“I didn’t know what to do. I was running round when I scored. A hat-trick is a hat-trick. It was my first one, I’m really happy about it.

“I had a few penalties this season. I’m just going to continue to try to score them. If I get penalties, I’m going to try to score, I’m not going to try to miss.

“When we scored he [Pochettino] said ‘two minutes, come on’. He’s always trying to drive us on. We went for it and thankfully we scored.

“It’s a big winner. It’s a massive momentum booster. It puts everyone in a good mood. Hopefully we can kick on.”

Chelsea play bottom of the table Sheffield United away on Sunday as they look to try to push up the table to reach the European spots.

The Blues led twice thanks to goals from Cole Palmer but failed to secure three points against a Clarets side who were a man down for the entirety of the second half following a red card for Lorenz Assignon.

The outcome led to boos from home fans at the final whistle.

“It is a result that shows that we need to improve in many areas if we want to be competitive,” Pochettino told BBC Match of the Day.

“So disappointed. We didn’t show the consistency and the capacity to deal with and manage the game. We were not aggressive enough in open play and defending set-pieces. We need to improve like a team and be more competitive.

“The team is a little nervous when winning 1-0. It is not only about to work, it is about to evolve and develop some areas in our team to deal better with this type of situation.”

What the stats show

Pochettino’s remarkable data-based claim about Chelsea’s league position came on Friday.

If the former Tottenham boss had made his comments about Chelsea being in the top six instead of fourth, he would have a more widely understandable point.

When compared to the current top four, the Blues are only second behind Liverpool in terms of big chances created with 89 in total and 3.18 on average per game. The Reds have created 92 big chances, 3.29 per game.

The major difference is that Jurgen Klopp’s side make the most of their opportunities and are locked in a three-way title race with Arsenal and Manchester City while Chelsea are 11th in the table.

Chelsea’s general attacking returns are below par in comparison to the current top four. They have scored 49 league goals, 13 fewer than Aston Villa in fourth. They average 5.36 shots on target per game while Villa have 5.53 and defending champions Manchester City have 7.00.

Against Burnley, Chelsea had 33 shots with 12 of them on target. The total shots tally was their highest in a Premier League match this season and their most for over 10 years in the competition.

‘They just don’t put the ball in the back of the net’

Many Chelsea supporters have reached the point where they feel they deserve better and where goodwill is fading.

Burnley, whose manager Vincent Kompany was also red-carded, got back into Saturday’s game with goals from Josh Cullen and Dara O’Shea.

“I’m glad he [Mauricio Pochettino] didn’t mention for fans to be patient because how much more patient do you need to be?” said former England midfielder Fara Williams on Final Score.

“The xG [expected goals] from today’s game alone should have been 3.7 goals that Chelsea should have scored. They dominated in terms of chances created again and they just don’t put the ball in the back of the net.

“They allow a 10-man Burnley team back into a game. Burnley probably could have nicked the game, [Jay] Rodriguez hitting the crossbar from a header, and I think Poch is right in talking about the intensity.

“I watched the game from the off and it felt slow. Even when Burnley had 11 men the ball intensity felt slow, there was no aggression with or without the ball. He’s right that if Chelsea want to be competitive, if these young players want to improve and get better, those levels need to [go] up for sure.”

What the fans said

Chris: At some point you have to question what Poch is actually doing for Chelsea? Most of a season in charge, and we can’t even hold a lead against 10-man Burnley. How bad do we have to be before his position is questioned?

Patrick: I would be surprised if Chelsea can keep hold of Palmer over the next season or two. We can’t even hold the lead against 10 men relegation candidates.

Daniel: As a Chelsea fan, it is truly baffling what Poch says to the players at half-time. I don’t know how many times this season we have either conceded early or our performance has just completely dropped off right after half-time. I have given him time but it is really getting to the point where there has been no improvement, just regression.

Piers: Been a supporter of the owners and Poch throughout everything but the result today, in the circumstances, is the worst of the season. Yes, he’s had terrible injuries (Fofana, James, Nkunku, Lavia etc.) but he can’t keep using it as an excuse along with age.

The Blues are 11th in the Premier League table, 17 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.

The FA Cup is their only chance of silverware – although they face holders Manchester City in the semi-finals.

“We know really well what we are doing. That’s why I laugh. I don’t take it personally when the fans say that [criticise],” said Pochettino.

Chelsea rank fourth for expected goal difference per game, on 0.36 – with 50.64 xG for and 40.88 xG against in 27 games. Their actual goal difference is +2 (47-45), which is 0.07 per game.

However, on nearly every other metric Chelsea rank lower than fourth including on goals, shots, shots on target, possession, passes, touches, touches in the opposition box, expected goals for and against and big chances.

Chelsea have spent over £1bn on transfer fees since Todd Boehly took over the club just under two years ago after previous owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government.

The Blues have suffered multiple injuries this season although the club would still expect to be in the top half of the table. They are in danger of a second consecutive season without European football.

Chelsea Supporters’ Trust recently said the club is close to “irreversible toxicity” and “the current mood among supporters is critically low”.

Fans have chanted the names of Abramovich and legendary former manager Jose Mourinho during recent home games.

“I’m going to support the owners that invest and that arrived to the club in a very difficult situation,” said Pochettino, who was hired last summer.

“The intention is very good. The owners are trying to develop a different project to before. Fans need to understand that it’s a new project with different ideas.

“What we cannot say is they’re not investing and that they don’t have good intentions. They are suffering.”

The former Tottenham manager continued: “If you look at all the data, in the table we should be in fourth position. But for different reasons, we are not there.

“What the data means is that we are in a good way. In which area do we need to improve? It’s things [that will come] with time. We need to compete better, small details. You can only get this with experience with time playing together.

“It’s easy to find the data when you want to kill someone. But when the data is good and reflects the team is doing well but for different reasons we’re not getting the results we deserve, [we should] trust in the process.”

Sterling faced criticism from sections of the Stamford Bridge crowd during Chelsea’s 4-2 win over Leicester City in the recent FA Cup quarter-final.

Pochettino was jeered for his decision to substitute Mykhailo Mudryk instead of Sterling in the 78th minute.

“We now need to move on. It will help if we do,” said Pochettino.

“What we cannot do is create bigger things from this now because we know fans love our players and I know they will support him and the rest of the team.

“Raheem is a spirited player and he understands it all.”

Pochettino’s Chelsea will have home advantage against lowly Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday, when supporters will expect another victory.

Sterling missed a first-half penalty against Leicester and blazed a free-kick well over the crossbar in the second half, which prompted jeers among the home crowd.

Before the match, Chelsea Supporters’ Trust raised “significant concerns” about the club’s future in a lengthy letter to co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.

It said there was growing concern that Chelsea are becoming “a ‘laughing stock’, both on and off the pitch”.

“We need to be careful in the way we talk and give our opinions because there needs to be a strong relationship between everyone,” said Pochettino.

“I just want our players to play really well. I was also suffering the anger of the fans and their disappointment; in fact, the whole team suffered in this situation.”

He was booed by some Blues fans, who also called for him to leave, during last weekend’s draw at Brentford.

Chelsea have earned five points from the last 15 and go into Monday’s game against Newcastle United in 11th place.

“The fans are not going to love any more another coach at Chelsea. I knew it was going to be tough [and] we need time and belief,” he said.

“If you compare with the past when you are in a different project, people need to understand. I’ve tried to explain. I talk, I move my mouth, but you don’t hear.

“We understand the frustration and the reception. We need to try to improve the way we play and try to change this feeling. We need our fans and we hope that on Monday the fans will be great and behind us for 90 minutes to win the game.”

Pochettino also defended Chelsea’s defeat by a depleted Liverpool in last months Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

“It’s true that [the players] are young, but we like to help them. We like to talk, to train, to support. We are supporting them,” he said.

“The fans don’t know. The players are so young, playing at Wembley in a final. Maybe they didn’t sleep the night before.

“Sometimes, to analyse with different parameters and the way that you assess is completely unfair.

“Today it is a different Chelsea. If you are going to judge us, comparing the past of Chelsea, for sure no-one is going to win. No-one is going to succeed. No-one is going to be nice with you.”

Chelsea have spent more than £1bn on transfers since Todd Boehly’s takeover in May 2022.

They finished 12th last season when Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Frank Lampard spent spells in charge of the team before Pochettino took over in the summer.

Chelsea have struggled for consistency this season, having won 10 and lost 10 games of their 26 in the top flight this season.

Asked if he would consider walking away, Pochettino replied: “No. Why? Never.”

The club are 11th in the Premier League, having won just 10 games this season, and the Argentine is under growing pressure at Stamford Bridge.

“We need to accept the frustration,” Pochettino said on Thursday.

During the 2-2 draw at Brentford, where a late Axel Disasi header rescued a point for the Blues, some fans chanted the name of former boss Jose Mourinho.

“Maybe if I was a fan I’d be the same because we are not matching the expectation,” added Pochettino, who took charge last July.

“We must be responsible for our performance and try hard to improve.”

Chelsea have spent more than £1bn on transfers since Todd Boehly’s takeover in May 2022, but Pochettino has struggled to blend the expensively-assembled squad on the pitch.

The club were described by Sky Sports pundit and former England defender Gary Neville as “billion-pound bottle-jobs” after losing the Carabao Cup final against a weakened Liverpool side.

Chelsea, who are closer to the relegation zone than the top four, host Newcastle in the Premier League on Monday.

“We are suffering negativity but we can’t stop believing, we must keep believing and try to perform on Monday,” Pochettino said.

“I really believe we can succeed. Of course we need our fans. We hope the fans will be behind us on Monday to help us win the game. That is so important for our players.

“We can believe that we can start to win games to get close to qualifying for Europe. The opportunity is there but if you give up belief we will go down [the league].”

On Thursday, Chelsea also announced pre-tax losses of £90.1m in the period between March 2022 and June 2023 – their first year under the ownership of Todd Boehly’s Clearlake Capital consortium.

The losses for the club in the 12-month period was lower than the £121.4 m for the previous year, while their turnover is up from £481.3m in 2021-22 to £512.5m.

Chelsea’s £4.25bn sale to a consortium led by American investor Boehly and private equity firm Clearlake Capital was completed in May 2022.

Palmer, 21, has scored 12 times for the Blues since his move from City for an initial £40m last summer.

The midfielder made 41 senior appearances for City under Pep Guardiola, 25 of them as part of last season’s Treble-winning squad.

Palmer told BBC Sport that Pochettino was a “top manager and a top person”.

Speaking to Football Focus, Palmer said: “He speaks to you about anything, like family issues. I think if he knows what’s going on off the pitch, it can affect how he is with you on the pitch. He’s really great at that.”

Just seven of his 25 appearances last season at City, whom he joined at under-8s level, were from the start of matches.

Under Pochettino, Palmer has been one of the stand-out players in a youthful Chelsea side still adjusting to major overhauls on and off the pitch. He is the Blues’ top scorer with 12 goals in 31 appearances so far this season.

He started Sunday’s Carabao Cup final defeat by Liverpool. On Saturday, 11th-placed Chelsea travel to Brentford in the Premier League (15:00 GMT).

On Thursday, Palmer was named Men’s Young Player of the Year at the 2024 London Football Awards.

Asked if Pochettino has made him a better player, Palmer said “yeah”, adding: “He’s given me the freedom to play my stuff and I like it when he frees you because I feel I can express my stuff more.

“I’m loving it. Every day he’s talking to you about different things, not just football things but life things as well. He’s good at making you feel good and trying to get the best out of you.”

Palmer also gave credit to the coaching qualities of Guardiola at former club City, who have won three straight Premier League titles as well as last season’s Champions League and FA Cup.

“What I learnt at City, I wouldn’t be able to learn anywhere else with the manager and the players that were there, one of the best in the world,” said Palmer.

“Then I felt I was ready to play and I thought I might as well just go for it [joining Chelsea]. I just felt like I was ready to play football week in, week out.”

Pochettino was criticised after Chelsea lost 1-0 following extra time against a weakened Liverpool on Sunday.

He said he has had positive conversations with co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.

“They showed their support and after the game Todd sent a nice message,” said Pochettino.

“I said hello to the owners when I saw them in the stadium and after I met Behdad and we were talking.

“We were sharing our opinions about the game and the opportunity we missed to win a trophy because I think we played really well during the 90 minutes.”

Sky Sports pundit and former England defender Gary Neville described Chelsea as “billion-pound bottle-jobs”.

Responding to Neville’s comments, Pochettino said: “In three or four years with Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool didn’t win a title. Now they are getting what they deserve.

“For us, after eight months to get a final is a massive achievement.

“A lot of young players had 90, 120 minutes. Now they know what it is to play a final and they will be better for this experience.”

Asked about his future at Chelsea, Pochettino said: “It’s not in my hands. We have a very good relationship with the owners, with the sporting director.

“It’s up to them to trust or not. It’s not the coach’s decision.”

Pochettino said forward Christopher Nkunku, who has made only two Premier League appearances this season, is out with another injury.

“It is difficult for him. We watched him in pre-season – he was frightening on the pitch until he got his knee issue,” said Pochettino.

“Now it is nearly eight months, and even when he’s involved he is not the same player.”

Chelsea, who are 11th in the table – closer to the relegation zone than the top four – host Leeds United at Stamford Bridge in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Wednesday.

The game is a rematch of both the Carabao and FA Cup finals of 2022, with Liverpool winning both on penalties.

The Reds lead the Premier League by four points and are into the Europa League last 16 and FA Cup fifth round.

“We’ll go for it,” said Liverpool’s assistant manager Pep Lijnders.

“It’s a special game. Special games need special performances so we have to focus on the performance.”

With Lijnders and manager Jurgen Klopp set to leave Anfield this summer, Liverpool fans are eager for them to enjoy a triumphant send-off having already won six major honours since Klopp took charge in 2015.

“Our philosophy is to give joy and emotions to the fans,” added Lijnders. “I’m really happy that we can give at least a final to start with.”

Defender Virgil van Dijk, who will captain the Reds in a Wembley final for the first time on Sunday, said: “We want to make it a special day and get our first trophy of the season.

“The end of the season will probably be very emotional for a lot of people, including the manager, but we are not there yet. We shouldn’t look too far ahead, we should look at what is in front of us.”

Chelsea’s last domestic trophy was the 2018 FA Cup, although they won four international honours after that, the most recent being the Club World Cup in February 2022 – two weeks before they lost to Liverpool in the 2022 Carabao Cup final.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino, who took charge at Stamford Bridge last summer, can win his first prize in England after previous spells in charge of Southampton and Tottenham.

“It means a lot for us, the coaching staff, to get to the final and challenge a team like Liverpool,” said the Argentine.

“It’s a dream for us, we have the opportunity and we are going to fight. I think the team is ready and we’re going to be very competitive.”

Reds trio face late fitness tests

Lijnders confirmed injury-hit Liverpool will give Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Dominik Szoboszlai as long as possible to recover in time for Sunday’s game after fitness concerns.

But Curtis Jones has joined Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota on the sidelines, so several youngsters and fringe players will feature in the Wembley showpiece.

“It’s always good in life to accept what you have and don’t look at what you don’t have,” said Dutch coach Lijnders. “That’s brought us success in the past.

“Johan Cruyff said that ‘every disadvantage has its advantage’, and we get young players playing who haven’t been playing [regularly] – it’s a compliment to our squad and our academy.

“For me, success is growing. We focus on developing this team, on bringing young players and making them better – and the older ones. Success is a logical result of that.

“Liverpool is a club made for major trophies. Each year we should fight for them and that’s what we’ll try to do.”

Third time the charm for Pochettino? – the stats

• Liverpool’s win over Chelsea in 2022 meant they regained the record for most EFL Cup wins – nine
• Chelsea are five-time winners, last lifting the trophy by beating Tottenham 2-0 in 2015
• Chelsea’s current boss Mauricio Pochettino was Tottenham manager that day
• Pochettino has only reached one other final while managing in England – the 2019 Champions League final when Spurs lost to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool
• Pochettino has won just one of his 13 meetings with Klopp – a 4-1 home win in October 2017 with Tottenham
• Chelsea and Liverpool have met in two previous EFL Cup finals (2005 and 2022) and two previous FA Cup finals (2012 and 2022)
• Liverpool won both the 2022 finals on penalties after the games finished 0-0 at the end of extra time

Gallagher cancelled out Jefferson Lerma’s opener and scored again in the 91st minute before Enzo Fernandez got a late third to seal a 3-1 win.

The 24-year-old has been linked with moves away from the club.

“I think he is a player with a great commitment to the team,” said the Chelsea manager.

“He is always trying to compensate in every situation, in offensive and defensive situations. It’s priceless to have a player like him.”

Gallagher, who is reportedly valued at £50m, is contracted to Chelsea until the end of next season but his long-term future remains uncertain, with Tottenham suggested as a possible destination in the summer.

But Pochettino believes Gallagher is firmly committed to remaining at the club he has been at since he was eight.

“He has always told me it is to stay in Chelsea,” Pochettino added.

“He still has one year more on his contract. It’s a matter with him and the club.”

‘Gallagher is a leader’

The England midfielder’s goals against the club he spent the 2021-22 season on loan at were his first of the season in the Premier League.

But he has been an important player for Pochettino, making 23 league appearances this term and captaining the club during the absence of Reece James earlier this season.

“He’s always been working hard,” former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech said on Sky Sports. “He’s one of the players that’s always cared about winning and about the club. “You find that even young players can have special abilities to be a leader. Conor is one of those players – he’s always worked hard, he’s always cared and he always tries his best.

“He’s a Chelsea boy, too. He’s pushing and he is one of the captains in the making, because of the way he is.”

Gallagher aims to keep improving

The win for Chelsea was their second in a row following their 3-1 win against Aston Villa in the FA Cup.

Gallagher also scored in that game and the midfielder is determined to build on the momentum with fixtures against title challengers Liverpool and Arsenal on the horizon.

“It’s about consistency for us,” he said.

“We’ve had some games where we’ve been good and somewhere we’ve been terrible.

“We’ve got some massive games coming up and we’ll keep trying to improve.”

It did not last long, cut off in full cry as Conor Gallagher’s crisp finish at The Holte End instantly brought songs of a different kind, setting the tone for Chelsea’s finest moment of this mess of a season under manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Chelsea’s form has been so dismal that any talk of victory in this fourth-round replay at Aston Villa was placed into the bracket of an FA Cup shock – not exactly Maidstone United winning at Ipswich Town level, but a shock nonetheless.

How wrong we all were. The sound of a script being torn up could be heard at Villa Park inside 20 minutes, so unexpected was this Chelsea performance and outcome.

Chelsea’s desperate plight when they arrived here made this outstanding 3-1 win, fully deserved after a superb team display, so much sweeter in a stadium where Villa have won 13 games and lost only two in all competitions this season.

The stock of co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, and to a much lesser extent Pochettino, had sunk so low that Stamford Bridge echoed to praise for Abramovich and former manager Jose Mourinho when Chelsea scraped the barrel losing 4-2 at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.

Yes, it was that desperate.

There was even an unwanted – unwanted by Chelsea and Pochettino at least – social media intervention by Isabelle Silva, wife of defender Thiago Silva, when she posted on “X” after the Wolves debacle: “It’s time to change. If you wait any longer it will be too late.”

Mrs Silva apologised before kick-off while Pochettino insisted the reason Mr Silva was sitting behind him on a bench at kick-off time was because of “performance and balance”, not as a punishment for his wife’s – her words – “outburst”.

Raheem Sterling joined Silva with a watching brief, paying the price for a season that has gone into sharp decline after a bright start, especially in two poor performances in the heavy defeats at Liverpool and at home to Wolves.

Chelsea, despite cup competitions being their salvation so far this season after reaching the EFL Cup final against Liverpool, were firm underdogs against a Villa side on the crest of a wave in the Premier League’s top four and so formidable on their own ground.

The time was crucial, too, with Pochettino under more scrutiny than at any time since his summer appointment, Villa supporters revelling in his misfortune with a group chanting the trademark: “You’re Getting Sacked In The Morning.”

Not after this he isn’t.

Pochettino’s job was not under immediate threat but the tension around the club and, most significantly, results and shambolic performances meant he could not afford an FA Cup exit otherwise the storm clouds will have gathered more heavily.

The Argentine insisted he had received messages of support from Chelsea’s owners, but history tells us this is the most volatile of clubs and plenty is already riding on that Wembley meeting with Liverpool on 25 February.

What he needed most of all was Chelsea to turn up, for this hugely expensive scattergun collection of a squad to actually show what they are made of, to at least show they are worth something of the vast outlay spent on bringing them together.

And Chelsea did. In style, in a most pleasant and unexpected surprise for the 6,300 Chelsea fans who loved almost every second of this rare night of unalloyed joy this season.

Gallagher and Nicolas Jackson had Chelsea in the driving seat inside 21 minutes, leaving Villa stunned and manager Unai Emery wearing the most pained expression as he stood on the sidelines.

Chelsea were quicker to every ball, stronger, faster than Villa, whose fans could barely believe the manner in which their team was being overrun, overpowered.

Malo Gusto was outstanding at right-back, the variety and flexibility of Chelsea’s attacking strategy illustrated by the manner in which he delivered a cross from the left for Jackson’s header.

Such has been Chelsea’s fragility and flimsy character this season that the fear for them was an early Villa goal in the second half would derail their dramatic improvement – not a bit of it.

Instead, it was left to Enzo Fernandez to deliver the quality he has kept hidden too often at Chelsea with a magnificent 54th minute free-kick, up and over Villa’s wall and tantalisingly out of the reach of his Argentina team-mate and fellow World Cup winner, keeper Emiliano Martinez.

Moussa Diaby’s injury-time goal made no difference. This was Chelsea’s and Pochettino’s night, their best of this traumatic season.

As Chelsea took the acclaim of their fans, Pochettino marched off with an understated clenched fist, directing a cameraman away from him towards the players who have taken so much flak but responded so impressively.

Pochettino will know this is only a start, a platform, but it was a mighty impressive one he will hope is repeated at Crystal Palace next Monday evening.

The Blues dropped to 11th in the Premier League on Sunday after a 4-2 home loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Chelsea have spent more than £1bn on transfers since Todd Boehly’s takeover in May 2022 and have won just nine Premier League games this season.

“I think we are all together in this and that’s important,” Pochettino said.

“I received very good texts from [the owners],” he added. “Of course, I am in contact with them and the sporting director every day.”

Pressure has grown on Chelsea’s Argentine manager, whose side lost 4-1 to Liverpool four days before the Wolves defeat.

They are 15 points shy of the Premier League’s top four and five points off London rivals West Ham United in seventh.

Despite heavy investment in the club since Boehly purchased Chelsea from Roman Abramovich, the Blues recorded their lowest finish in the 20-team Premier League era last term, coming 12th.

‘The fans need to trust us’

After boos from the Stamford Bridge crowd at the weekend, Pochettino has called for support from the Blues’ fan base.

“The fans need to trust in us,” he said. “We need to provide the calm for the players to feel free to play.

“We need to create a good connection with the fans. The fans need to understand when they go to Stamford Bridge it’s a different Chelsea, a different project, a different everything. It’s the responsibility of the players and the staff to create a connection, something in between they appreciate.

“The fans need from us to see that we really care about the club. I promise you and the fans that the players want to perform and win games. The players suffer when they are not performing. They are desperate to receive the love from the fans but at the same time they understand the situation. If you are not performing it’s normal the fans should criticise us. We need to be together.”

Chelsea head to Aston Villa on Wednesday for an FA Cup fourth-round replay at Villa Park (20:00 GMT). Later this month, they face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium.

The Blues were booed off after Sunday’s 4-2 home defeat by Wolves, which followed a 4-1 loss at Liverpool.

Those results have left Chelsea 11th in the Premier League with 10 defeats in 23 games, despite another heavy outlay on players last summer.

“It is easy to say you need to change manager,” Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“If you look at the job Pochettino did at Tottenham, eventually he got there.

“Certainly there needs to be patience with the manager.”

Todd Boehly and private equity firm Clearlake Capital took over Chelsea in May 2022 and sacked Thomas Tuchel on their 100th day in charge in September 2022 after three defeats at the start of the 2022-23 season.

He was replaced with Graham Potter, who was fired the following April with the side 11th in the league – the same position the Blues currently sit in under Argentine Pochettino.

Chelsea spent more than £380m last summer – the most of any club in Europe – and more than £1bn in four transfer windows since the current ownership took over in 2022, mostly to purchase young players signed on long contracts.

“They have no choice but to hang on in there, trust Pochettino and hope he gradually improves them,” Sutton told 5 Live’s Monday Night Club.

“When you spend that kind of money you would expect the team to be slicker and better than they are at this moment in time.

“They do have an identity – they want to press high and be brave on the ball playing out from the back – but are a team low on confidence.

“They have made tiny bit of progress if you compare it to last season but last season was so bad it was impossible not to do that.”

Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given also said Pochettino, who finished second and reached a Champions League final with a young side during his tenure at Tottenham, should not be sacked.

“You can’t just keep sacking the manager,” he said. “Tuchel was regarded as one of the best managers in world football.

“There has to be something else going on behind the scenes because you have had some good managers in there.”

But former Blues winger Pat Nevin said Chelsea are playing like a side “built by an algorithm”.

“They don’t work together, it’s very, very staccato the way they try and play,” the Scot told BBC World Service’s Sport Today.

“There’s no great understanding and it does look like you’ve got all promising players in various positions, but have you considered how they might work together? Because it doesn’t really look that way.”

Pochettino says ‘young’ players need support

Chelsea have made 28 signings since Boehly and Clearlake took over at Chelsea and this season have the youngest squad in the Premier League.

But not since the 1993-94 season have the Blues suffered 10 defeats after 23 games of a league campaign.

Pochettino apologised to the supporters after the Wolves defeat, while captain Ben Chilwell said it is “on us” as players.

“It’s managing the game,” the England full-back told Match of the Day. “It’s maybe a bit of naivety to be honest.

“We need to make sure if we do concede, we regroup and the game in the next five or 10 or 15 minutes doesn’t go the other team’s way which happens too often to us.”

Pochettino said his players “need support” from the Stamford Bridge crowd.

“The fans will be right to criticise and be angry if the performance is not good,” he said. “But it’s important [to remember] the players are young. They need support.”

Post from Silva’s wife ‘does not help situation’

Chelsea fan Will Faulks, from the website Chelsea News, said the respite Pochettino earned with league wins against Crystal Palace, Luton and Fulham, plus cup victories over Middlesbrough and Preston has “evaporated”.

“The Chelsea boss has been dealt a bad hand – but he has played it very poorly, of that there can be no doubt,” he said.

“He’s had to contend with endless injuries and an unbalanced and inexperienced squad assembled in a disastrous manner. Yet even taking that into account, the results he has managed are not good enough considering the players at his disposal.”

Following the Wolves defeat, centre-back Thiago Silva’s wife posted an apparent criticism of Pochettino on social media.

“It’s time to change. If you wait any longer it will be too late,” she posted on X, along with two blue heart emojis.

Shortly before Potter was sacked last year she liked a tweet which called the Englishman a “deadbeat” manager who “doesn’t know what he is doing”.

Sutton said the post “does not the help situation”.

“It is absolutely ridiculous,” he said. “It is something the club and Pochettino doesn’t need.

“He has had a poor season. The team has had a poor season. It is not going to help the situation.”

Pochettino’s side dropped into the Premier League’s bottom half following another heavy loss, four days after being beaten 4-1 by leaders Liverpool.

“We are all not good enough at the moment, that’s the reality,” he said.

“Myself also. I’m the first responsible for the situation. What we showed today was that we are not good enough.”

Argentine Pochettino, 51, took charge of Chelsea in July following a season in which they finished 12th under interim manager Frank Lampard after Graham Potter and Thomas Tuchel were both sacked earlier in the campaign.

The Blues, five-time Premier League and two-time Champions League winners, have the same number of points at this stage of the season as they did after 23 games under Potter last term and were booed at full-time on Sunday.

Former Paris St-Germain and Tottenham manager Pochettino said it was “a matter of time” before his young squad begin to show sustained progress – although he accepted “patience is not infinite”.

“We didn’t manage the situation properly. No-one can be safe. I don’t want to come here and say I am the best and the players the worst,” Pochettino said.

“I think we are all responsible. But the players need to take responsibility also.

“At the moment we are not matching the history of the club. We need to accept that and to be critical but we cannot give up.”

The Blues emphatically overturned a 1-0 first-leg deficit with a 6-1 victory against Championship side Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, winning 6-2 on aggregate.

They will play either Liverpool or Fulham at Wembley on 25 February – the first cup final Chelsea have reached since losing both the EFL Cup and FA Cup on penalties to Liverpool in 2022.

Pochettino, who is yet to lift a trophy in England, lost in the final of this competition to Chelsea in 2015 and the Champions League final to Liverpool in 2019 when manager of Tottenham.

“I’m desperate to win a title here,” said Pochettino, who won the first trophies of his managerial career at Paris St-Germain after being sacked by Spurs.

“In one year and a half in Paris, we won three trophies, and we want to win one here. I’m desperate to win, of course.”

The Argentine has had mixed fortunes at Chelsea. With a number of young players signed, and a large number of injuries to the squad, their league form has been inconsistent.

However, the Blues have now put together a run of form, winning five of their past six games in all competitions, with the one defeat in that period being the semi-final first-leg loss to Middlesbrough.

“In some point, it’s an amazing achievement,” he added. “I think it was the objective when we started: With no Champions League, no Europa League, no Conference League, to build a team from nearly zero. Of course, that was the objective, to be at Wembley in February.

“The job is done but now it is about winning the final. From another side it is like it is not important as Chelsea is about winning the Champions League and Premier League.

“We need to start to realise and give credit to the team – as this is a team where a massive percentage didn’t maybe play at Wembley [before]. It’s important for the club, important for us and in this process to build a new team.”

‘Trophy would set a precedent’

Pochettino said after the semi-final victory that reaching the final will help to build the “mentality” of his “young team”, many of whom have yet to play in a final of a major competition.

“It would be huge for him and set a precedent, in his first full year at the club, to win a trophy,” said former Brighton and Crystal Palace striker Glenn Murray on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“It is still a major trophy and he will see that as, he hopes, the start of a lot of silverware for the football club.

“The fans want to be top of the league and challenging for the Champions League, but if they can win some silverware, then that would be seen as a huge success and progression of this project at Chelsea.

“They understood what was at stake and that was saving their season. This can be a kick-start; this can be a confidence booster.

“It takes time to develop relationships and understand how your manager wants you to play and how fit he wants you to be. I think this could be a turning point. Things are starting to look up at Stamford Bridge.”

Chelsea do not have much time to celebrate as they are back in action on Friday at Stamford Bridge as they play Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round.

The forward has made just one Premier League start since joining the club.

A knee injury sustained in pre-season kept Nkunku out for three months, and he missed Chelsea’s past two matches with a hip injury.

“We’re disappointed and a little bit worried because we want him involved again as soon as possible,” said Pochettino.

“We are still assessing him, we don’t know what is going to happen.

“It’s complicated with Christopher. It’s now between eight and 10 days since he could train.

“He was so close to feeling comfortable again, he started the game against Crystal Palace.”

The France international scored on his Premier League debut in the 2-1 defeat to Wolves on 24 December and he was handed his full debut three days later against Crystal Palace.

But a hip injury sustained in training ruled Nkunku out of the 4-0 FA Cup win against Preston last weekend and the League Cup semi-final defeat to Middlesbrough on Tuesday.

Though Nkunku has been ruled out of Saturday’s visit of Fulham to Stamford Bridge, Pochettino is hopeful that French centre-back Benoit Badiashile and long-term absentee Ben Chilwell can return to the matchday squad.

“The good news is having players like [Trevoh] Chalobah, Chilwell, Badiashile and [Carney] Chukwuemeka so close to being involved again and help the team to perform,” said Pochettino.

Pochettino said the promoted Hatters’ 11,500-capacity ground appealed to the football romantic in him.

But he warned his players they must match the desire of their opponents to earn a positive result following four successive defeats away from home.

“I’m an old man, I am romantic,” the 51-year-old Argentine said.

“I love football of the past and this kind of stadium makes you remember when I started to play.

“It’s a stadium that smells different. It’s not luxury in the way that we recognise luxury today.

“This type of stadium is one where you love to be there. It’s history, it’s completely different.”

While 10th-placed Chelsea are without an away league win since beating nine-man Tottenham on 6 November, Luton have won consecutive matches for the first time in their debut Premier League campaign.

And, with their victories over Newcastle and Sheffield United, Rob Edwards’ side have moved within a point of safety.

A third straight win in Saturday’s 12:30 GMT kick-off – on home soil where they have taken a point off Liverpool and led both Manchester City and Arsenal this season – would take Luton outside of the relegation places and within seven points of Chelsea.

“Today we are living in a different era, but when you go there, you feel real football,” Pochettino said.

“We need to go to Luton thinking that it’s going to be really tough. The stadium, the fans, it’s a team that loves to fight and work really hard,” the Blues boss added.

“If we want to get a good result, we need to be ready of course to play football, but we need to match the desire, the capacity to fight for every single ball.

“It’s going to be a good test for us.”

The Blues will secure a Carabao Cup semi-final if they defeat Newcastle in an all-Premier League tie on Tuesday.

“We want to deliver for the club and for the fans,” said Pochettino, who took charge last summer.

“It’s a priority when you’re at Chelsea to win a title, it’s important so it’s in our mind and objectives.”

Chelsea have struggled for consistency under Pochettino and sit 10th in the Premier League, 12 points off the top four.

Pochettino failed to deliver a major trophy during five years in charge of Tottenham.

His side will have to overcome last season’s runners-up if they are to take a step closer to the EFL Cup final.

“Of course I want to win a trophy here in England, and win one with Chelsea if we have the opportunity,” added the Argentine.

“My wish and desire is to win and it’s possible.

“We need to respect our opponents, Newcastle are going to be tough, we need to deserve to go through.”

100 up for Howe

Newcastle have endured a terrible time with injuries, with defender Fabian Schar and midfielder Joelinton set for scans after both were injured during the win against Fulham last Saturday.

Defender Sven Botman returned from injury with an appearance from the bench at the weekend, while Sweden forward Alexander Isak will be assessed for a groin concern, although Howe said it is “not a big problem”.

The Chelsea tie marks Howe’s 100th game in charge of Newcastle since being appointed in November 2021.

In that time Howe has steered the club to the Carabao Cup final and secured a place in the Champions League after a fourth-placed finish.

“I’ve loved every second of it,” said the former Bournemouth boss.

“When you look back at a group of games, so many highlights, memories. I’m very proud and honoured to hopefully tomorrow done 100 games and been through that journey with the club. It’s been a really memorable time.”

Nkunku joined the Blues for £52m from RB Leipzig in the summer but suffered a left knee injury during a pre-season friendly in Chicago.

The 26-year-old had surgery in August and has yet to make a Premier League appearance for his new club.

Pochettino said Nkunku can now begin to get a “feel” for the English game.

He added: “It’s a big motivation for us, for his team-mates, and the fans to see a player that should be important for us being in the squad for the first time.

“It’s very good news for us and it’s time to be calm and quiet because we don’t want to put the pressure on him.”

Nkunku scored 16 goals in 25 games in the German Bundesliga last season and has won 10 caps for his country.

He was Pochettino’s first signing after the Argentine took charge at Stamford Bridge in May but was injured in a challenge with Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels.

Before his injury, Nkunku had impressed during Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the United States by scoring three goals in five games.

Meanwhile, Pochettino also confirmed during his news conference on Friday that Spain goalkeeper Robert Sanchez is out until at least late December with a knee injury.

Sanchez’s absence opens the door for Serbia international Djordje Petrovic, signed in the summer from New England Revolution, to start in his place.

“Of course [I have faith in him],” said Pochettino. “I have faith in all my players. He arrived to Chelsea because he has potential.

“We really trust he can perform in the way we want.”

Chelsea have lost back-to-back Premier League games to Manchester United and Everton and are 12th in the table, level on 19 points with Brentford, Wolves and Bournemouth.

The Blues travel to the Red Devils on Wednesday with both sides looking to breathe fresh life into their flailing seasons. Pochettino’s Chelsea climbed back into the top half of the Premier League with a battling win against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, while Erik ten Hag’s side dropped to seventh a day earlier having lost to Newcastle United.

Ahead of that trip to Old Trafford, Pochettino was asked for his thoughts on compatriot Garnacho, who has broken into the Argentina senior team over the last year.

Garnacho is finding form again / Seskim Photo/MB Media/GettyImages

“He is an exciting player, young and talented,” Pochettino replied. “It’s not surprising to us because we knew about him when he was in Spain before moving to Manchester. It’s good to see a young player being brave and showing the talent that he is showing.

“He is Argentinian and Spanish. He is the opposite of me because I am Argentinian-Spanish; he is Spanish-Argentinian.

“It’s exciting because it’s good to have these type of players for the national team and I’m excited to see him on the pitch.”

Garnacho was born and raised in Spain but opted to represent Argentina, who he is eligible to represent through his mother. He progressed through the youth ranks at Getafe and Atletico Madrid before joining United in 2020.

Pochettino, meanwhile, holds Spanish citizenship having spent over a decade at Espanyol as a player and manager, often spending holidays back at his home in Barcelona. His sons Sebastiano, who is on Chelsea’s coaching staff, and Maurizio, who plays for Gimnastic Tarragona, were born in Spain.

The visitors were level at half-time but capitulated in the second half, conceding three goals and having captain Reece James sent off.

After encouraging performances against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, Pochettino felt Chelsea were “soft in every challenge” at St James’ Park.

“We didn’t show that we were playing for something important,” he said.

“Even if Newcastle weren’t great, it was an easy win for them to prepare for the Champions League. We had to show that it’s going to be difficult for them to play, to win the game and to beat us.

“But it was really easy in the way that we conceded and the way that we were so soft in every single challenge.

“That’s what makes me angry and disappointed. We talk about being a young team and we have to learn, but I think these type of games make me very, very, very, very, very angry because it’s about showing your personality and character.

“OK, we are young as a team, but we cannot lose this type of opportunity to show our best.”

More than a third of the way through the Premier League season, a fifth loss of the campaign leaves Chelsea in 10th and already facing a battle to qualify for the Champions League, with Tottenham 10 points ahead in fourth.

“It was our worst game of the season. It was tough to be in the stands,” added Pochettino, who watched the game from the directors’ box as he served a touchline ban.

“We cannot complain about the result, we did not read the game from the beginning.

“We cannot blame the players, it is the team together. We need to understand the level we need to compete, and learn about this situation.

“There are many details, many things that build confidence and strength. We already know what is going on, and we will try to change the dynamic.”

The Argentine spent five years as Spurs manager before he was sacked in 2019 and led the club to its first Champions League final earlier that year.

He will return to the north London club for the first time in four years with Chelsea on Monday night (20:00 GMT).

“For me, it will be a happy day,” Pochettino, 51, said on Friday.

“We are professional but at the same time we are human and we feel.

“It’s really special to go back to a place where we created amazing memories together. It’s special, I’m not going to lie. That is true.

“When we left the club it was a difficult moment but now I have the opportunity to come back and see many people who are still working there. It will be an exciting moment.”

Asked whether going back to league leaders Tottenham, whom he considers title contenders this season, would feel similar to seeing a former partner, Pochettino joked: “It’s difficult because [I have had] nearly 32 years with my wife and I don’t know if I remember or even if I had a girlfriend before.”

Following his Tottenham departure, former Espanyol boss Pochettino took over at Paris St-Germain in 2021, where he claimed the first trophies of his managerial career by winning the 2021 Coupe de France and 2022 Ligue 1 title.

He returned to the Premier League with six-time English champions Chelsea in July, tasked with improving the Blues’ fortunes following a disappointing 12th-place finish last season.

In a match remembered as the ‘Battle of the Bridge’, it was at Chelsea in 2016 that Pochettino’s Tottenham saw their Premier League title challenge ended by their London rivals, who fought back from 2-0 down to confirm Leicester City’s remarkable triumph.

While Pochettino said he is unsure what reaction he will receive on his return to the club as Chelsea manager, he insisted that would not affect his own feelings towards Tottenham.

“I’m not going to say anything at the moment. Until Monday, we can’t guess,” Pochettino said.

“We can’t forget everything we lived together and I’m going to respect the people and how they feel. It won’t change my emotions, my feelings about a club where we had an unbelievable journey.

“I always said that the only clubs I would never manage are Arsenal, because they are considered the worst enemy for Tottenham, and Barcelona, because of Espanyol.”

Chelsea have won five of their opening 12 games across all competitions.

The Blues were booed off after Saturday’s 2-0 loss against Brentford left them sitting 11th in the Premier League.

“They need to be with us. I know it’s difficult to keep your feelings and it’s normal,” Pochettino said.

“The fans want to win and are frustrated and they show emotion but the message is to believe and to show trust in us, and for sure it’s about the process of trusting and believing.”

The defeat against Brentford was Chelsea’s third loss at Stamford Bridge in the league this season and extends their winless streak at home to four.

Chelsea finished 12th in the top flight last season and Pochettino, 51, was appointed in the summer to try to improve their fortunes.

They have the opportunity to bounce back when they host Championship outfit Blackburn in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

Saturday’s disappointment was further compounded by the dismissal of assistant coach Jesus Perez in the 88th minute following a scuffle when the Spaniard attempted to get the ball from Brentford’s technical area.

Referee Simon Hooper showed Perez a red card and he has until Thursday to provide a response after being charged with misconduct by the Football Association.

Speaking about the incident, Pochettino said: “Of course I think he deserved to be fined and to be punished.

“He broke the rules. It’s true. I need to apologise to Brentford and their coaching staff because you cannot go into their area.

“He knows he made a mistake. He wanted to win. He wanted to help the team and get the ball back and start to play.”

Chelsea have won only one of their past 13 home Premier League matches, beating newly promoted Luton in August.

They are 11th in the table with three wins from 10 games.

“I am not happy. The players and the club also aren’t,” Pochettino told TNT Sports.

“It’s a long time that we need to be more consistent here. We feel that we need to change that dynamic.”

Brentford became the first side in Premier League history to win each of their first three games against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the competition – meaning boss Thomas Frank has more league wins at Chelsea’s home ground than their two most recent managers combined.

Interim boss Frank Lampard failed to record a victory across five home matches last season, while Pochettino has managed one at home since his appointment in the summer.

Pochettino has led Chelsea to home wins over Wimbledon and Brighton in the Carabao Cup.

‘We need to be more nasty’

On Saturday, Chelsea were largely the better side but were again wasteful in front of goal – only managing two shots on target.

Initially, they cut through Brentford at will, with Noni Madueke curling an early effort against a post.

The hosts should have opened the scoring when Cole Palmer crossed for an unmarked Marc Cucurella midway through the first half, but his first-time shot was straight at Mark Flekken.

“We need to be more nasty in the last third. We need to be more clinical,” Pochettino told BBC Match of the Day.

“It’s a very young group who need to improve in this area more than any other.”

Chelsea have failed to score in four of their 10 league games this season and, of the 10 teams above them in the table, only Manchester United have scored fewer than their 13 goals.

Based on the quality of Chelsea’s chances created this season, they have scored six goals fewer than they should have done according to their expected goals (xG of 19).

Last season was similar, with 38 goals scored against an xG of 50 – and their statistic of 12 fewer goals scored than expected was the worst in the Premier League.

The Blues lost new £52m striker Christopher Nkunku for “an extended period” in pre-season after surgery on an injured knee, with Pochettino saying he could be back towards the end of November, after the next international break.

“It’s in their heads now,” said former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole on TNT Sports about their scoring problems.

“As a group, they have to find a way of getting out of it. When you’ve gone on a run like these players have gone on, subconsciously you’re not making those runs or you’re doing them too late.”

Mauricio Pochettino’s expensively re-shaped side were 2-0 up and the home supporters were as exuberant as they have been in more than a year as Chelsea looked on course for their finest moment under the Argentine’s leadership.

And then, with just 13 minutes left, one of those moments of calamity that have characterised Chelsea far too often punctured the atmosphere of elation and transformed it into nervous tension.

Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez decided to try and upstage his hapless Arsenal opposite number David Raya, leaving himself stranded hopelessly out of position after a poor clearance that Declan Rice gratefully fired back past him to give Arsenal hope where little had previously existed.

The door was open to Mikel Arteta’s side and they burst through, Leandro Trossard equalising seven minutes later.

Where there was calm suddenly came chaos, a frantic finale looking more likely to end with an Arsenal victory than Chelsea – which would have been remarkable given what had gone before.

Cole Palmer’s penalty and Mykhailo Mudryk’s speculative punt from out wide, which flew over the poorly positioned Raya and placed further question marks over whether he is actually an upgrade on Aaron Ramsdale, had Chelsea sitting pretty.

The fact they carelessly cast aside a point will have left this feeling more like a defeat than a draw for Pochettino and his players considering their superiority for long periods.

This was certainly reflected in Chelsea’s body language as they slumped off and Arsenal celebrated an unlikely point.

It was a bitter pill to swallow, but dig deeper into Chelsea’s display and they might just find a sweeter taste with clear signs that better times may finally be on the way under Pochettino after the dismal sequence under Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, followed by the nonsensical holding operation under Frank Lampard.

There have been indications that, given time and patience, which surely must be the currency at Stamford Bridge after the previous scattergun nonsense from co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, Pochettino will eventually point things in the right direction.

Chelsea’s spirits have been lifted by convincing away wins at Fulham and Burnley and, despite the wastefulness of those last 13 minutes, there was much to admire about this performance.

Pochettino had outflanked his friend and former Paris St. Germain colleague Arteta with his use of Cole Palmer as a false nine, Chelsea playing with the intensity and attacking intent that is the manager’s trademark.

Mudryk has shown signs of coming to terms with life at Chelsea and was prominent again here, although whether he meant the effort that resulted in a goal – or if it was actually a cross – will be a matter for debate.

What is beyond question is that Arsenal keeper Raya’s positioning was so poor, in line with the rest of his display, that it did nothing to make Arteta’s case that he is an improvement on Ramsdale after the manager’s ruthless decision to depose the England international.

As well as Mudryk, Moises Caicedo is also starting to look like the player so highly-prized that the waving of cheque books between Chelsea and Liverpool eventually ended with him costing £115m.

The Ecuadorian was doing that unfussy, under-stated job he does so well, always available, always willing to do the dirty work. He will prove to be a fine asset for Chelsea.

Palmer’s calm dispatch of his penalty, which he took after a discussion involving Raheem Sterling, demonstrated that he is comfortable at this level. He proved this at Manchester City and under Pochettino’s careful guidance, a manager who has proven expertise in helping young talent flourish, then there should be a lot more to come from the Wythenshawe-born 21-year-old.

Chelsea, for all the wild and unstructured purchasing policies of the ownership, have actually acquired some quality players and if he is left in peace to shape it all, then Pochettino has the ability to make it work.

He still needs to get a reliable goalscorer, though, with Nicolas Jackson very raw and Christopher Nkunku still injured. However, Pochettino can be pleased with some early aspect of his rebuilding.

Chelsea will have felt the acute pain of throwing away victory here at Stamford Bridge, but the evidence here was that there is certainly something to work with.

Arteta joined Paris St-Germain on-loan in 2001-02 when Pochettino was playing for the French giants as a centre-back.

The pair will face off in the Premier League on Saturday when Arsenal host Chelsea at 17:30 BST.

“He has been one of the most influential people in my career as a player,” Arteta said.

“He took me under his wing and he looked after me like a little child. A little brother. He was a big part of the success I had in Paris.

“He has been a role model for me since that day, not only as a player but as a manager as well. He had a big say on that and I will always be grateful for what he has done for me.”

Arteta, 41, is ten years the junior of Pochettino and only stepped into management in 2019 when he took charge of Arsenal after spending time at Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s assistant.

Pochettino, meanwhile, took up his first managerial post in 2009 with Espanyol and has also managed Southampton, Tottenham and Paris St-Germain.

Arsenal are yet to lose in the Premier League this term and sit second behind north London rivals Tottenham on goals scored as they prepare for the visit of Chelsea, who have won just three of their opening eight games and lie 11th.

Arteta confirmed that forward Bukayo Saka, who has scored four goals in the league this campaign, is available despite sitting out of the 1-0 win over Manchester City in Arsenal’s last outing and then withdrawing from England duty due to a hamstring issue.

“I’m sure he wants to play, yes. I don’t see any player who doesn’t want to be in the starting 11,” Arteta said.

Liverpool were wrongly denied a goal against Tottenham last weekend because of “a significant human error”.

Pochettino says he is in favour of the technology but would like to see its use during matches simplified.

“We understand people make mistakes, it is not easy,” Pochettino said.

“I think when the referee makes mistakes, we can all accept [it]. When it happens with technology it is difficult to understand.”

He added: “For me, it is about simplifying the situation. The most important is to return to giving [more] power to the referee. I think one step back may make things easier and more clear.”

While insisting he trusts VAR after initially being critical, Pochettino said he would only keep the offside and goalline aspects of the technology.

Luis Diaz’s goal was incorrectly disallowed at 0-0 last Saturday despite replays showing he was onside. A breakdown in communications between the on-pitch officials and VAR teams meant the original decision was not overturned.

Also speaking on Friday, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou accepted Liverpool were denied a “legitimate goal” but said it was “clear it wasn’t an integrity issue” which caused the error.

Meanwhile, Wolves boss Gary O’Neil said he believes there “seem to be more errors made” so far this season.

What is the new ‘VAR communication protocol’

Referees’ body PGMOL committed to a full review following the incident at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

From this weekend, PGMOL said VARs will confirm the outcome of any decisions with their assistant VARs before notifying the on-field officials to prevent a repeat mistake.

PGMOL, which said it is committed to introducing a new VAR communication protocol as part of a review, believes the move will enhance the clarity of communication between the referee and VAR team in relation to decisions.

The hope is that this will also build trust with the players and managers following the controversy around the disallowed Diaz goal.

Howard Webb, who is PGMOL’s chief refereeing officer, will speak about the VAR incident at Spurs when the latest edition of the ‘Match Officials: Mic’d Up’ programme airs on Tuesday.

Webb will join former England striker Michael Owen for the 26-minute show, which analyses a number of refereeing decisions from the recent match rounds using game footage as well as audio between on-field officials and VAR teams.

‘A faultless VAR system doesn’t exist’ – Postecoglou

Postecoglou’s Spurs moved above Liverpool to second place after Joel Matip’s late own goal decided an eventful and contentious Premier League match last weekend.

The magnitude of the VAR mistake did not become clear to the managers and players until after the match, in which Liverpool were also controversially reduced to nine men.

“It’s a weird one,” said Postecoglou. “Usually when something major happens, you get a sense during the game. I don’t think anyone really had a sense anything significant had happened.”

He added: “Whatever I say is maybe going to be seen through the prism that we were the beneficiaries of the mistake. The facts are there was a legitimate goal that Liverpool scored which wasn’t given.

“It is an unusual one in that it has never happened before. At the same time, we are in a new space with technology and there are going to be a lot of firsts with this technology.

“My view is that we want a faultless system – that will just never exist unless we turn our game into an event which goes on for four hours and we explain every decision.”

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said the match should be replayed.

Postecoglou was asked, had he been aware of the error at the time, whether he would have potentially gifted a goal back.

However, the Tottenham boss insisted that such a level of responsibility, making quick decisions based on limited information, should not fall on managers.

“We have got pretty hefty responsibilities as managers at our football clubs but we are not the custodians,” he said.

“I wouldn’t make a decision which could potentially send your club down on the back of what my beliefs are.

“It is different if something is clear. It wasn’t easily explainable because, if it was, I would assume there would have been more uproar than there was.”

Mudryk joined from Shakhtar Donetsk in a deal worth up to £89m in January but has failed to score in 22 appearances.

Pochettino and Mudryk have been going head-to-head at Cobham.

“With Mudryk, I like to play sometimes to [hit] the crossbar from outside the box,” Pochettino said.

“He said to me, ‘I don’t want to play anymore with you because you always win.’ I said ‘yes, because I have the belief, and the balance between belief and quality I know very well because I’m 50 years old. You’re still young and you need to know yourself.

“Today [Tuesday] was the first day we draw because I always won. Now you start to believe in yourself, believe in your quality. If not, it’s difficult to balance belief and quality.”

Ukraine international Mudryk, who was close to joining Arsenal before he made the move to Chelsea, has featured in five of the Blues’ six league games this season, starting twice.

The 22-year-old scored 10 goals in 18 appearances for Shakhtar during the first half of 2022-23 prior to sealing his big-money move to the Premier League.

Speaking before Chelsea’s Carabao Cup third-round tie against Brighton at Stamford Bridge, Pochettino said: “The problem is we can’t buy confidence at the supermarket.

“It’s about time. You know how our brains work – it’s about little by little, creating situations where we can provide the trust and the confidence and the belief.

“That is one aspect you work on, the psychology of the player, and that can make the difference to provide the players with confidence to touch the ball and score. It’s a small example.”

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Blues co-owner Behdad Eghbali went into the team’s dressing room on Sunday following the defeat to Aston Villa.

After a woeful campaign last season, Chelsea have started slowly again, taking five points from six matches.

“I like when the owners come,” said Pochettino.

“In all my career as a coach, at Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham and Paris St-Germain [it happened].”

Blues co-owner Todd Boehly reportedly told the club’s players their 2022-23 season had been “embarrassing” when he addressed them following a home defeat by Brighton in April.

The American, along with Eghbali and co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, have continued to be regulars in the Chelsea dressing room this season.

“I think it’s good that the owners came to the dressing room. It’s in the way that they approach the players that is the most important,” added Pochettino, whose side are 14th in the Premier League table..

“If they are in a good way, I think they’re very welcome.

“After my press conference on Sunday against Aston Villa they came and shared with us like normal.

“Against Liverpool, first game, then Luton and Nottingham Forest, they came with Paul and Laurence and Behdad, and sometimes with Todd also.

“They share some comment and we talk about the game, always after my [press] duties.

“I don’t see it in a bad way. For me it’s good always if they share with us, then they can say hello to the players. The difference is if they come for some speech. That is different.

“But in the way they came they are very welcome. They own the club, they can do whatever they want.

“I think they are in a very good way and we are glad that they came and shared with us – even like happened on Sunday when we didn’t win and we are suffering.”

Chelsea spent more than £380m on 10 players in this transfer window, more than any other side in Europe, but Pochettino does not believe he is under greater pressure from the club’s owners than at former clubs Southampton and Tottenham.

“It’s less hard than when we were in Southampton and Tottenham, trust me,” said the Argentine. “Believe me.

“The only thing we are missing is scoring goals, because the team is playing, if you see our first few months in Southampton and Tottenham, I think we [Chelsea] are playing much better.

“We are doing much better here, but we are missing the most important [thing] in football – to score. But it’s not harder than the previous experience.”

He added: “[It’s] no more pressure now than in other places.”

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The Blues failed to qualify for Europe for just the second time in 26 years after their 12th-place finish in the Premier League last season.

They have won just one of their first five games this campaign to sit 14th.

“The circumstances have given us time to work and we’ve had a really good week,” said Pochettino.

“It has been good to recover players from the international break.

“It’s a time that, of course, for the fans is difficult because they are used to being in Europe but we need to take advantage of the situation.”

Pochettino said the fans were entitled to express their dissatisfaction after some jeered the team after their goalless draw at Bournemouth last weekend, although he did not share their frustrations because he is satisfied with the team’s underlying performances.

“I believe that the fans will be behind us. It’s normal that when you don’t win they are disappointed and show their feelings. They won’t be happy after a draw at Bournemouth,” said the former Tottenham boss.

“Fans always want to win and I’m sure they will support us. The players need their support.

“I am not frustrated because I think the team is performing well and missing many key players. I am disappointed because I think many teams with less score more. That is why we feel bad. The players deserve more.”

Pochettino speaks to Jackson about bookings

Pochettino also said he has spoken to the Blues’ Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson about his behaviour towards referees.

Thy 22-year-old summer signing from Villarreal is already one yellow card away from suspension after being booked for dissent in four of his first five Premier League games.

“We had a meeting with him and also Enzo [Fernandez],” said Pochettino. “A striker, four yellow cards only for talking with the referee. It is so cheap and it is going to bring a difficult situation to the team.

“He understood. Jackson is young, he is going to be a fantastic player. He needs to be calm and relaxed.

“We are talking about young players, you can blame me or blame us but they need time.

“He needs to be clever and not protest to the referees.”

Mason Burstow scored a 90th-minute equaliser for Chelsea after Marius Wolf gave Dortmund the lead in Chicago.

£52m signing Nkunku, 25, went off in the 22nd minute after appearing to injure his knee when he was tackled.

The pitch at Chicago’s Soldier Field was in poor condition.

Areas were patchy and worn after the stadium, home to the NFL’s Chicago Bears, was used for an Ed Sheeran concert attended by 73,000 people last weekend.

“The doctors are checking him,” explained Pochettino, who felt the tackle which forced Nkunku off “maybe” should have resulted in a penalty.

“He had the chance to score but he feels something in his knee.

“Hopefully it is not a big issue and that he can be quick with the team. We need a few days to assess him and until we get back to London it is difficult to know.

“Always we take some risks because the pitch is not perfect as they are using it for different sports and that is sometimes the risk of the tour.

“I think it was a bit unlucky in the situation but we cannot complain about the pitch and to blame the pitch for why he suffered the injury. For me, it was bad luck.”

Chelsea had the best chances of the first half when Nicolas Jackson had a shot saved by Alexander Meyer after Nkunku was taken down in the area.

Levi Colwill should have scored when Thiago Silva flicked the ball across the face of goal from a Ben Chilwell pass, but he shot over the bar from inside the six-yard-box.

Chelsea started the second half well and Jackson fired over after running onto a bouncing ball over the top of the Dortmund defence, before Carney Chukwuemeka had a shot blocked on the line after good work from Raheem Sterling and Jackson.

Dortmund took the lead in the 80th minute when Wolf scored from close range, turning in Samuel Bamba’s shot.

Chelsea then drew level when Burstow headed in from inside the six-yard box after Enzo Fernandez headed a Mykhailo Mudryk free kick to the teenage striker.

The Blues begin their Premier League campaign against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge next Sunday, 13 August.

The Blues, who took 29 players to the United States, played out a 1-1 draw in front of more than 70,000 in Atlanta.

Miguel Almiron cancelled out Chelsea summer signing Nicolas Jackson’s 12th-minute opener.

But Pochettino said he wanted to reduce the squad before their Premier League opener against Liverpool on 13 August.

He added morale could be affected if there were numerous players in the squad not getting regular game time.

“At the moment the dynamic is very good, really good guys and they are sharing the time together,” Pochettino said.

“It is difficult because sometimes in every game three, four, five players cannot play and that is difficult because the mood is difficult.

“It is about creating a squad with good balance and people who have the opportunity to play and can compete for their place.

“That is a big job and challenge for us in the transfer window to build a good relationship and good balance. Then, if players are not happy because they believe they are not going to play, we are going to find a solution with the club and fix the situation.

“What we cannot have is a massive squad, players, not be involved and then it’s going to create a mess in the squad. Maybe less is more and more is less, it is not mathematic. That is why I need to make clear we don’t need a big squad.

“We need 22, 23, 24 players with some younger and that’s it. I am so sorry because maybe the decision will be tough but we need to build a good and a balanced team who want to compete for things.”

Chelsea had an inflated squad last season after spending £600m over the previous two transfer windows.

Since being in the United States, defenders Marc Cucurella and Reece James have spoken about the negative effect that had on the players.

“Players that will be here next season need to be happy,” Pochettino said.

“If they believe they need to be in the starting 11 and they are not going to accept being on the bench because of the coach – Chelsea pay me to choose 11 players – it is better they talk from now.

“We need to stop thinking ‘I come here to play’. No, ‘I come here to help the club to achieve what we want and then I need to convince the coaching staff that I deserve to play’.

“That is why always it is important to have the right players, the right balance and then accept what is going on.”

In Atlanta, the Blues took a 12th-minute lead against Newcastle through summer signing Jackson.

Ian Maatsen, who returned from his loan at Burnley where he helped them to win the Championship title last season, played in the striker, who finished calmly past Martin Dubravka.

Newcastle drew level just before halftime when Miguel Almiron, playing in the home stadium of Atlanta United the team he left to join Newcastle, curled the ball into the far corner with an excellent finish past Kepa after Cucurella missed his interception.

Ben Chilwell almost snatched a win for Chelsea in added time but his shot from the edge of the area was superbly saved by Nick Pope.

The former Tottenham boss, 51, has taken over at Stamford Bridge on a two-year deal with the option of a third.

Chelsea endured a terrible 2022-23 season in which they had three managers and finished 12th in the league.

“It is about delivering from now,” Pochettino said at his unveiling. “We cannot tell the people we need six months to create something.”

Speaking at his first news conference at Stamford Bridge, he added: “I spoke with the owners in a really good way. They are clever people and I feel good. I am not a coach who needs to ask for power.

“The most important thing I need to show them is to trust in me and the players and the fans can trust my decisions and the way we operate.”

‘My target is to win’

Pochettino had been linked with a return to Tottenham after they parted company with Antonio Conte in March, but he instead joined their London rivals.

Having started his managerial career with Espanyol before a 16-month spell at Southampton, he then managed Spurs from 2014 to 2019.

He caused ire from his former supporters when he described Chelsea as “the greatest team in England” over the past 10 to 15 years during an in-house interview.

Last season, Manchester City claimed a Treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup and Pochettino said his side need to “believe” they can compete.

“I want to congratulate Pep [Guardiola] on what he has achieved with Manchester City,” he said. “It’s amazing to see a club gain so much stability with the tools from the manager.

“Chelsea in the last 10, 12 or 15 years have enjoyed a similar achievement. Now, we need to believe that we can also create great things and believe we can compete with Manchester City.

“My target is to win, my aim is to win. Play well is our style, philosophy and culture. If you don’t win in a club like Chelsea, you will struggle.

“With the players we have and the strategy to believe. It’s about winning, being competitive. And translate this energy to our fans. To create the togetherness, it’s difficult, in the Premier League all together we can be close to win again.”

‘We need to give our best from the start’

Pochettino is Chelsea’s sixth permanent manager in five years following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter earlier this season, with Frank Lampard taking interim charge until the end of the season.

He is also the fourth boss of new owner Todd Boehly’s reign after the American took over at Stamford Bridge last July.

Chelsea are undergoing a transformation in their playing squad too – they have spent more than £550m on new players and nine have left this summer including Kai Havertz to Arsenal, Mason Mount to Manchester United and captain Cesar Azpilicueta to Atletico Madrid.

Pochettino said: “I’m not thinking about how many challenges or the most difficult one. The most important thing is to get a balanced squad.

“The plan was to reduce the numbers of players and then create a good dynamic on the training ground. I am not giving players the opportunity to waste time. We need to give our best from the start.

“We are going to have a squad that can deliver.”

The Blues have won 21 trophies since 2004, including five Premier Leagues and two Champions Leagues.

But they sacked two managers last season and finished 12th.

“In the last 10, 12, 15 years, Chelsea is the greatest team in England,” said former Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur boss Pochettino.

“I know very well the Premier League and what the culture of Chelsea means. I think our fans are excited to again be on the road of trying to win.”

The 51-year-old Argentine won three trophies in his time as Paris St-Germain manager, including the Ligue 1 title in 2021-22.

He failed to win anything in his previous six-year spell in England, though did reach the 2019 Champions League final with Spurs.

“We are excited to work with a very young team, with a different approach than in the past,” he said.

“But I think we all need to understand that we have to work really hard and create a very good atmosphere at the training ground to build success for the team in the next few years.

“For me, it is a pleasure and honour to now be involved with Chelsea Football Club. We are so excited, and I know Chelsea very well, it is one of the greatest clubs in the world. So of course, it was easy for us to make the decision to move here.”

New owner Todd Boehly sacked Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter in his first season, with the club spending about £288m in January. That was more than the combined total of all clubs in the Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1.

Pochettino has taken over a squad that has seen more change this summer, with Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy and N’Golo Kante leaving to join teams in Saudi Arabia, England midfielder Mason Mount agreeing to join Manchester United, Ruben Loftus-Cheek moving to AC Milan and Mateo Kovacic signing for champions Manchester City.

France striker Christopher Nkunku has arrived from RB Leipzig for £52m and Senegal forward Nicolas Jackson joined on an eight-year contract from Villarreal.

Pochettino said a “very clear project” is now in place which may take time but Chelsea still need to “be at the top”.

He added: “From the beginning, the owners and sporting directors were very clear about the project and we were very excited to join them in this project.

“We are here to try to help the club and the fans. In the end, the most important thing in football is for them to be happy and to feel proud of us and in the way we approach games. The players need to know that.

“Of course, there are always up and downs in the history of football, but Chelsea is a club that it is impossible to have these up and downs.

“We need to be sure that we bring what the club needs to be at the top because the history of the club is to be at the top.”

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The Argentine, 51, begins his new role on 1 July 2023 on a two-year contract, with an option of a further year.

He takes over from interim boss Frank Lampard, who guided Chelsea to 12th in the Premier League.

“Mauricio is a world-class coach with an outstanding track record. We are all looking forward to having him on board,” the club said in a statement.

Chelsea say Pochettino was first choice and the only manager who was brought into the club for talks.

He will work with sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Lawrence Stewart.

“Mauricio’s experience, standards of excellence, leadership qualities and character will serve Chelsea Football Club well as we move forward,” Winstanley and Stewart said in a statement.

“He is a winning coach, who has worked at the highest levels, in multiple leagues and languages. His ethos, tactical approach and commitment to development all made him the exceptional candidate.”

Pochettino is Chelsea’s sixth permanent manager in five years following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter earlier this season, which led to Lampard taking charge on a temporary basis.

Chelsea have had a poor season, losing to Manchester City in the third round of both the FA Cup and League Cup.

They also lost to Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, which ended any viable hopes of them qualifying for Europe next season.

They closed the Premier League season with their first bottom-half finish since 1995-96.

The 51-year-old Argentine, who is set to return to the Premier League after being sacked by Chelsea’s London rivals Spurs in November 2019, will take over from caretaker manager Frank Lampard at the end of this season.

Pochettino will permanently succeed Graham Potter, who was dismissed at the start of April after less than seven months in charge.

Despite spending £600m in the last two transfer windows, Chelsea are in the bottom half of the Premier League and will end the season without a trophy, while they will also not play in European competition next season.

Pochettino has been out of work since being sacked by Paris Saint-Germain last summer after 18 months in charge of the French side, having guided them to the Ligue 1 title in 2022 and the French Cup the year before.

The ex-Espanyol boss managed Spurs for five years from May 2014 but failed to win a trophy at the north London club.

He led them to the 2019 Champions League final, which they lost to Liverpool, and also guided them to the 2015 League Cup final and a second-place finish in the 2016/17 Premier League season, with Chelsea winning both competitions.

The former Tottenham manager, unemployed since leaving Paris Saint-Germain last summer, emerged as the frontrunner after Julian Nagelsmann withdrew from the race at the end of last week.

Pochettino has held a series of positive talks with Chelsea’s owners and it is understood confirmation of the Argentinian as the permanent successor to Graham Potter could come soon. It has been stressed, though, that the deal is not done and that the club have other candidates in mind in case negotiations collapse.

Chelsea’s controlling co-owners, Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, are under pressure to make the right appointment after a chaotic first season. Pochettino, whose links with Spurs are unlikely to be an impediment to his taking the job, would be the third permanent manager to work under this ownership. Chelsea put Frank Lampard in temporary charge after firing Potter this month.

Potter, who had been in post for only seven months, had been brought in after the shock dismissal of Thomas Tuchel last September.

However, Chelsea, who have spent close to £600m since last summer, fired the former Brighton manager after a dreadful run. Chelsea lie 11th in the Premier League and are unlikely to be in Europe next season.

Burnley manager Kompany, Mauricio Pochettino and one other unnamed manager are being considered by the Premier League club.

However, ex-Bayern Munich boss Julian Naglesmann is no longer in the running to take over at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley are leading the recruitment process.

The Blues sacked manager Graham Potter at the start of April after less than seven months in charge, following a 2-0 home defeat by Aston Villa that left the club 11th in the Premier League table.

Ex-Chelsea boss Frank Lampard was then named interim manager until the end of the season.

Former Manchester City captain Kompany has this season led Burnley to promotion from the Championship in his first year in charge at Turf Moor.

The 37-year-old Belgian has transformed the team’s style resulting in attractive, attacking football which has been praised by supporters and those within the game.

It would be a significant jump for Kompany, who has only managed Anderlecht (2019-2022) before his appointment at Burnley.

Kompany’s impressive season has also led to him being linked with the vacant Tottenham job.

BBC Sport has approached Burnley for comment.

Chelsea had already held talks with German Nagelsmann, who was sacked by Bayern in March.

But there was scepticism from the club after they received mixed feedback on Naglesmann during the talks process.

Meanwhile, Pochettino has been without a job since being sacked by Paris St-Germain last summer.

The 51-year-old Argentine is best known for his work at Chelsea rivals Tottenham, where he managed for five years and reached the Champions League final in 2019.

BBC Sport understands there is currently no favoured choice at the club and the process is ongoing.

Former Spain and Barcelona manager Luis Enrique had been among the contenders but he has reportedly not made Chelsea’s shortlist after initial talks.

Chelsea, who are 11th in the Premier League and out of all other competitions, next play on Wednesday, when they welcome Brentford to Stamford Bridge (19:45 BST).

PSG are still to make a formal announcement but it is understood the former Tottenham manager, 50, will not serve the final year of his contract.

Zinedine Zidane, Jose Mourinho and Nice coach Christophe Galtier are among those linked with replacing Pochettino.

PSG regained the French title last term but the Argentine failed to lead them beyond the Champions League’s last 16.

Although they were beaten by eventual winners Real Madrid, PSG held a 2-0 aggregate advantage with less than half an hour remaining in their second leg.

Pochettino claimed the first trophies of his managerial career with PSG – the 2021 Coupe de France and 2022 Ligue 1 title – but the club’s hierarchy felt that was the minimum he should achieve given the squad at his disposal.

The ex-Spurs manager was considered a potential replacement for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United before they appointed interim boss Ralf Rangnick and then Solskjaer’s permanent successor Erik ten Hag.