Chelsea take on Aston Villa in an FA Cup fourth round replay tonight.
Chelsea go into the game on a bad run of form after losing their last two matches 4-2 and 4-1 to Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool respectively.
It has not been a great season for Mauricio Pochettino, who is currently sitting 11th in the Premier League table with his side. Nevertheless, Unai Emery says he still believes in the Argentine’s work and has described him as an “experienced coach” (via Daily Mail).
Chelsea and Villa’s first FA Cup fourth round tie ended 0-0 at Stamford Bridge.
The winner of the replay tonight will face Leeds United at home.
Unai Emery has faith in Mauricio Pochettino
While things may not be going to plan for Pochettino at Chelsea right now, Emery still trusts him.
On his Premier League rival, the Villa boss said: “This season is a little bit difficult but I believe in his work and his progress at Chelsea. He is an experienced coach and all coaches are in trouble and under pressure at some time or other.
“Everyone feels the pressure differently. When I’ve been under pressure or results have been poor, I’ve always tried to prepare properly for games, be focused and support the players, give them confidence. I am sure Pochettino is doing the same.”
Mauricio Pochettino needs Chelsea’s owners to believe in his work
Emery’s words are nice ones, but the opinion of the Chelsea board and whether they have trust in what Pochettino is doing at Stamford Bridge are the only things that matter.
Right now, there does not seem to be too much belief in Pochettino, or at least across the whole boardroom.
According to one of journalist Simon Phillips’ sources, a loss tonight could actually see the 51-year-old dismissed.
If not, then Pochettino could just be delaying the inevitable. With Chelsea in the bottom half of the table, he just seems like a dead man walking right now.
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