Chelsea look to respond to Neville’s ‘bottle jobs’ taunt by bouncing back

Chelsea’s underperforming players were described by one leading British pundit as “billion-pound bottle jobs” after their loss in the English League Cup final.

They’ll need to show they have the stomach for a fight when they return to action today in another cup competition that represents their last chance of winning a trophy this season.

Fresh off Sunday’s defeat by a youthful Liverpool team at Wembley, Chelsea host Leeds – an in-form second-tier side on course for an immediate return to the Premier League – in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

No doubt ringing in the ears of Chelsea’s squad will be that cruel taunt by Gary Neville – a former Manchester United and England defender who is now a high-profile analyst for broadcaster Sky Sports – that is dominating the post-league Cup final media agenda.

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino brushed off the criticism, saying it was “not fair to talk in this way” and that Neville knew the “dynamics” in play as the London club look to gel a squad of young players that has been expensively assembled over the past two years.

Prior to the recent January transfer window, Chelsea had spent more than Us$1bil (Rm4.8bil) across three windows in the new Todd Boehly-clearlake Capital regime and has yet to see the benefits.

The tag of “bottle jobs” – meaning people who collapse under pressure – might stick if Chelsea succumb to Leeds at Stamford Bridge, given how much of a favourite Pochettino’s team will be for the last-16 match.

“They need to feel the pain,” Pochettino said of his players. “We played for a trophy we didn’t get and now, it is the same – what can you tell me to feel better? Nothing. They need to feel the pain and of course they need to realise we need to work more, do better things, we need to improve.”

Chelsea are not in Europe this season and are also far from certain of making it into any European competition next season. The team are in 11th place in the Premier League, though only four points off seventh spot. Finishing in seventh would guarantee a berth in either the Europa League or the Europa Conference League.

The FA Cup, therefore, is suddenly a big deal for Chelsea and Pochettino. Their problem is, there are quite a few top teams left in the draw.

Like defending champions Manchester City, who continue their defence of the trophy – and their bid for back-to-back trebles.

Manchester United visit Nottingham Forest in an all-premier League match-up today, when Wolves have a home game against fellow top-flight team Brighton. — AP