Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea’s manager, has called on his squad to collectively “grow up” following their dismal start to the Premier League season, which marks their poorest commencement in 45 years. After a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa, Pochettino expressed his concerns and emphasized the need for improvement.
The situation has been exacerbated by the suspension of starting striker Nicolas Jackson, who received his fifth yellow card in just six Premier League appearances. Additionally, Malo Gusto’s red card against Aston Villa further complicated matters.
Chelsea’s current standing, 14th in the Premier League, with a mere five points from six games, mirrors their worst performance since 1978. Pochettino highlighted the importance of collective growth within the team, acknowledging that young players like Nicolas need time to adapt to the Premier League.
Pochettino commented, “We need to grow up as a team, not only in an individual way. A player like Nicolas is so young and is feeling his way into the Premier League and learning. He needs time, and in this type of game we are competing and want to win.”
Chelsea’s struggle to find the back of the net is evident, having failed to score in three consecutive matches. Their offensive woes have placed them among the lowest scorers in the league, and improving their clinical finishing remains a top priority.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Pochettino remains optimistic about Chelsea’s future performance. He emphasized the importance of maintaining confidence and trust within the team to secure better results. Chelsea’s owners are also determined to support the club’s development, even amidst disappointing early results.
In response to the ongoing challenges, Unai Emery, Aston Villa’s manager, praised his team’s defensive improvement and credited goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for vital saves in their victory over Chelsea. He acknowledged the significance of the three points for maintaining balance in the league and expressed his commitment to building a stronger squad.
While Chelsea grapples with their worst start in decades, Pochettino remains focused on the team’s growth and the path forward to rectify their early-season struggles.
