Poch: I need to gag myself

Blues chief vows to be more upbeat

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has vowed to restrain his postmatch remarks after blasting his players in the wake of their 2-2 draw at sheffield United last weekend.

Pochettino questioned his side’s maturity and competitive spirit after the relegation-threatened Blades forced an equaliser deep in added time.

‘as a 52-year- old, you identify very quickly when a team is ready to compete or not,’ the argentine said at Bramall lane.

‘Maybe because this group is still not mature enough to compete every single game, every three days. For different reasons we are struggling to compete in these type of games (against lesser teams).’

But yesterday he explained that he now feels it can work against his team if he expresses his frustrations.

‘I need to be more cautious with my words after the game,’ said Pochettino, whose side face everton on Monday. ‘It is a fact that we have a young squad but I think also I need to adapt to a different message.

‘The message is to try to improve this week. I think we were working really hard to try to improve in all the areas. We were talking a lot but I think we need to be more positive.

‘Of course we need to accept that (the youth of the squad) is a reality, but sometimes (I need) to keep my feelings and be more positive because we have a really good squad.

‘We need to support them and work really hard to help them perform better in the next game. I am happy in the way they trained this week.’ and he agreed that immediately after a game may not be the best time to analyse a performance.

‘We are winners and we want to win,’ he said. ‘We came here accepting pressure but also knowing that Chelsea’s history is to win.

‘sometimes after 90 minutes when you don’t win or you draw like against sheffield United, you feel really disappointed and very frustrated and then you have to face you (journalists) and be calm.

‘But I think there are still many things to play (for) and we need to be positive and think positive. I want to stop talking about negative things. We need to be positive and create a good atmosphere.’

Ben Chilwell is back in training ahead of the everton match, but enzo Fernandez and Raheem sterling are doubts.