I’M LICENCED TO GRILL SAYS POCHETTINO

MAURICIO POCHETTINO admits some of his players have been struggling to take the heat at Chelsea – so he organised a club barbecue to boost team morale.

Pochettino is no stranger to thinking outside the box for teambonding methods, once making his Tottenham players walk over hot coals during their Champions League final preparations.

Yesterday he needed them for one of his favoured gatherings in a repeat of an event he held on his arrival at the club in July.

While discussing the speedy integration of star signing Cole Palmer (above) at Chelsea, Pochettino said: “Young players can struggle a little bit to deal with the pressure to play for Chelsea.

“We are always thinking how we can make it easier for a player to adapt and perform.”

When grilled on how, Pochettino (left) said: “Today we are doing a barbecue. There willo be 120 or 130 people. That is most important, that players understand what it means to be a Chelsea player. We are not going to score goals because we are doing a barbecue but it is about communication, feeling better.”

But Pochettino hopes Chelsea players will fill their boots in tomorrow’s FA Cup tie at home to Championship leaders Leicester after stopping them doing so yesterday. He said: “The players have to be responsible. I propose to do a BBQ but then there are two nutritionists who will control what they are going to eat.”

Chelsea are 6-1 third favourites for the FA Cup behind Manchester City at 11-8 and Liverpool at 3-1.

Leicester, FA Cup winners in 2021, are around the 20-1 mark.

The Foxes will be without Jamie Vardy due to injury, with Patson Daka set to take his place in attack.

But boss Enzo Maresca, who worked with Chelsea’s new star Palmer during his time as assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, insists his side will be going all out for victory No.32 – in just their 44th game – of an impressive season.

“We want to prepare in exactly the same way as we do all the season,” he added. “It will be a good one because it gives us the chance to go through to the semi-finals.”