LOTS MAUR LEFT FROM MY PAL ROY
Poch: He has experience to ride out storm
MAURICIO POCHETTINO says his old friend Roy Hodgson is the perfect example of how to handle managerial stick.
Both bosses have experienced fierce flak in recent weeks amid turbulent form and Chelsea could pile even more pressure on Hodgson with victory at Selhurst Park.
Yet despite calls for Hodgson’s head from the furious travelling Palace faithful during the 4-1 defeat at Brighton, Pochettino insists his opposite number has the tools to weather the storm.
The Argentine said: “I didn’t see the criticism at Brighton. That is part of the game and he has the experience to manage every situation.
“It will be good to see him and for sure we will share a very nice time.”
The 51-year-old has a considerable distance to go if he intends to continue managing at Hodgson’s ripe old age of 76.
But Pochettino said he simply hopes to be “alive” in 25 years’ time as he shared his respect for Hodgson’s achievements.
He added: “From the beginning when I arrived at Southampton, he was the coach of the national team and he was always there watching games and sharing time with us, and we created a very good relationship.
“From the first moment the feeling was very good between us. And that is why it is difficult to explain feelings.
“Sometimes you meet some guy and you say, ‘OK I won’t see him anymore’. With him it was very good.”
Injury-hit Palace, without key stars Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze, Cheick Doucoure and captain Marc Guehi, are plotting an upset to help flip the narrative.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have been handed yet another chance to turn the corner after their eye-catching 3-1 FA Cup win at Aston Villa in midweek – despite conceding four goals in each of their past two top-flight matches.
Thiago Silva is expected to return in defence alongside Axel Disasi after Benoit Badiashile picked up a groin injury at Villa Park.
Levi Colwill and Trevoh Chalobah are back in contention for the visitors, who beat the Eagles 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in December.
Pochettino insists that despite their friendship, both he and Hodgson do not feel the need to converse about their respective fortunes, as they look to grab three points off one another.
He added: “In football, sometimes you win a game and people send a text of congratulations, and you lose a game so they want to commiserate because they feel so sorry.
“But we are professional and we understand the situation. We know football, the experiences, and we don’t need to send a text when you lose, or need to win a game in a period like this.
“We know each other and how we need to act and behave. People know when you feel the support or not.”