Poch is a dead man walking now fans have turned
MAURICIO Pochettino is not ready to line up with a blindfold and cigarette to accept his fate. Instead, Chelsea’s manager spent Saturday night strapping on a bulletproof vest, telling his critics to bring on their barrage of snipes after this trip to Brentford turned toxic.
Pochettino insisted after a disappointing draw that he would never quit, even if the supporters were singing for him to ‘f*** off’ at the Gtech Community Stadium.
They also sang offensive songs about their owner Todd Boehly while praising Roman Abramovich and Jose Mourinho, the symbols of an era dripping in so much silverware that expectations are much higher than the midtable mediocrity they have experienced for the past 18 months.
We had heard the support for Abramovich and Mourinho previously, but not against the new regime in such an explicit way.
Boehly has been far less visible than when he took over in May 2022. He was not at Brentford to hear himself being called a ‘c***’ on Saturday as he was in Bahrain for the Formula One, with his consortium partner Behdad Eghbali largely left to oversee the operation in his absence.
Eghbali was spared any songs about him, as were co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, but Chelsea’s supporters made their feelings towards the hierarchy clear.
Pochettino is adamant he can turn this hatred around, yet if the anger is to be aimed at anyone, he says it should be directed at himself and no one else — least of all his players.
‘We cannot blame the fans,’ Pochettino said when asked by
Mail Sport if he was hurt by the barbs at Brentford. ‘They need to show their frustration but through who? I’d prefer through me rather than the team. I prefer that. I am strong.
‘For sure, with time, we will change the perception. I don’t want the fans to blame the players. Players need to feel backing from the fans, so I’ll be honest, I prefer that I get the blame and let the players play free on the pitch. I am strong enough now, 52, and I am sure we will change the perception.’
Raheem Sterling has been booed on occasion but largely, the supporters have stuck with their stars despite performances.
On whether it would be harmful if that changed, Pochettino said: ‘Of course, and the players don’t deserve it. They deserve the credit and support from our fans. If someone needs to get the blame, no problem. It is why I am the coach.’
It was already an uphill battle for a former Tottenham manager to win over the Chelsea fans. Now he is struggling, he may as well be at the bottom of Everest, and he needs his signings to take him to the top. Nicolas Jackson is among those and, on Saturday, it felt like we experienced the £32million summer signing in microcosm.
‘He tackled himself while trying a few step-overs, much to the delight of Brentford’s supporters. He failed to score when he had already rounded the goalkeeper, much to the frustration of Chelsea’s fans.
Then he scored — a superb header which was never going to be stopped. The striker celebrated by shushing the Brentford support.
Jackson’s header saw Chelsea lead 1-0 by the break but Brentford smothered them in the second half to take a 2-1 lead.
It was Yoane Wissa’s overhead kick which sparked those chants from the away support, before Axel Disasi’s header from a Cole Palmer cross made it 2-2.
‘We need to put it in context,’ Pochettino added. ‘Even if people don’t listen, this is the third game in six days. Brentford and Leeds had the advantage of a few more days to prepare.’
Pochettino is frustrated that Chelsea’s circumstances are not being taken into account. ‘If they want to listen, perfect,’ he added. ‘If not, what can we do?’
Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic said of Chelsea’s target for this campaign: ‘Our goal is to win the FA Cup. We are two steps from the final. Leicester at home is a good opportunity to play again at Wembley and take a trophy.’
That would mean Chelsea qualify for the Europa League and Petrovic added: ‘We have pain. The final (against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup) was a learning experience because we are a young team and in a process. It was a good lesson for us.’
We are unlikely to hear the world’s smallest violin being played for Chelsea considering their billion-pound outlay. Pochettino is under pressure but he is prepared to take the flak. As he said: bring it on. BRENTFORD (3-5-2): Flekken 6; Jorgensen 6, Ajer 6, Collins 6; Roerslev 7, Onyeka 6.5 (Jensen 77min), Norgaard 6, Janelt 6 (Yarmoliuk 87), Reguilon 6; Toney 7, WISSA 8 (Maupay 87). Scorers: Roerslev 50, Wissa 69. Booked: Janelt, Onyeka, Jorgensen. Manager: Thomas Frank 7. CHELSEA (3-4-1-2): Petrovic 6; Disasi 6, Chalobah 5.5, Colwill 5.5 (Sterling 79); Gusto 7, Fernandez 6.5 (Mudryk 71, 6), Caicedo 6, Chilwell 5.5; Gallagher 5.5; Jackson 6.5, Palmer 5.5. Scorers: Jackson 35, Disasi 83. Booked: Gallagher. Manager: Mauricio Pochettino 5.5. Referee: Jarred Gillett 6. Attendance: 17,140.