The steaks really are high for Poch!
Chelsea boss hosts team-bonding BBQ
MAURICIO Pochettino’s penchant for team-bonding sessions saw Chelsea’s manager host a 130-person BBQ at the club’s training ground yesterday.
The soiree involving sausages, steaks and a variety of dishes from different countries was organised to bring the team together alongside support staff ahead of the Blues’ FA Cup tie with Leicester tomorrow. Pochettino wants to create a homely and harmonious culture at Cobham which he believes could benefit performances on the pitch.
Pochettino is known for finding quirky ways to create a positive team spirit — he had Tottenham’s players walk across hot coals before their 2019 Champions League final against Liverpool — and he wants to make sure Chelsea’s signings appreciate who they are playing for.
‘We analyse their profiles — not only their physical profiles but their characters,’ Pochettino said yesterday. ‘I proposed to do a BBQ but with nuritionists to control what they eat. We drink water, orange juice, no alcohol, not eat too much, eat protein, green salad, no fries.
‘The idea is to share between the players and the staff. The players learn what it means to play for Chelsea. We will be all together. Of course, having a BBQ doesn’t mean that afterwards we are going to score goals, but it is about communication, feeling better.
‘It is not only a training ground where you come to work. It is home and we want to create a good feeling between everyone. To get people to fight for the same thing — to win.’
Meanwhile, Pochettino insisted yesterday that Chelsea have his blessing to hire a set-piece coach — with Bernardo Cueva being poached from Brentford — despite the Argentine previously claiming that the club did not need such a specialist.
However, Pochettino has warned that only he will decide who is allowed in his technical area on game days.
‘I am the head coach and I am going to decide if some people are going to be with me or not, or if I’m going to add more people or not to the touchline,’ said the 52-year-old. ‘But the most important thing is to reinforce and to be better. Always, we are open to improving.’
Ben Chilwell trained with the team yesterday after overcoming a knee injury as Chelsea look to move a step closer to winning the FA Cup, which could save their season and offer them an alternative route to European football.