Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino was left seething after the weekend’s defeat at Newcastle United.
The Blues suffered a crushing 4-1 away loss at Newcastle on Saturday in the Premier League, which burst the bubble of excitement that existed before the international break.
It was clear from the manager’s post-match comments that he wasn’t happy with the team’s performance.
Pochettino said via BBC Sport after the Newcastle result: “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.”
Gary Lineker reaction
Gary Lineker doesn’t recall ever seeing Pochettino angrier than he was after Chelsea’s match at Newcastle.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker said: “I have never seen Poch quite so cross. One of his quotes said he was very, very, very, very, very – I think there were five verys – before he said the word angry. Angry that we didn’t compete and stuff like that. He wasn’t a happy man after the game and I understand why, they weren’t at it really.”
Mauricio Pochettino frustration is vindicated
In our view, Chelsea’s boss was right to let loose a little after the embarrassment at St James’ Park.
This team makes you pull your hair out because they can go from fantastic to appalling in a matter of seconds, with the inconsistency explaining why they’re 10th in the league table right now.
TEAMtalk reports this week that Pochettino’s ‘under increasing pressure’ if Chelsea don’t secure Champions League qualification. As it stands, finishing in any kind of European spot looks a tough ask when you weigh up it’s four wins in 13 top-flight games so far this season.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
