The achievements of a football team cannot be bought with money, but are built through a relatively long process. This statement could be reflected in the clubs in Europe’s top leagues which are owned by rich businessmen.
Manchester City, which is controlled by businessmen from the Middle East, had to wait almost a decade after being owned by rich businessmen to become champions of the European Champions League.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint Germain, which is also owned by a rich businessman from the Middle East, has not yet been successful in the European Champions League.
Therefore, the amount of wealth is not a measure of success. Everything is determined by the process. The process involves trust and patience in the coach to implement his tactics correctly.
Perhaps this needs to be implemented for Chelsea who fired Mauricio Pochettino from the coaching chair when the 2023/24 Premier League season ended. In fact, Pochettino has only been at Chelsea for one season.
Moreover, the dismissal was a bit strange and surprising considering Chelsea’s performance in the second half of the 2023/24 Premier League season. Of the last 15 matches in the Premier League, Chelsea was able to achieve 14 wins and 1 loss. In fact, in the last five matches until the end of the season, Chelsea achieved 100 percent wins.
As a result, Chelsea is in 6th place in the final Premier League standings and has a ticket to play in the UEFA Cup next season. Apart from that, Chelsea’s achievements with Pochettino in the first season were not too bad. In domestic competition, Pochettino was able to lead Chelsea to the Carabao Cup final and FA Cup semifinals.
Indeed, Chelsea’s performance in the Premier League this season, especially at the start of the season until entering the second season, has plummeted. Of the 38 matches played during one season, Chelsea won 18, drew 9 and lost 11.
Chelsea is like a team with expensive clothes, but with a weak mentality at the start of this season. In effect, Chelsea failed to compete in the top four. It also looks difficult to enter the top 10.
Chelsea’s worst record is a very fragile back line. Chelsea in the Pochettino era had the most fragile back line because they conceded 63 times. Apart from that, in terms of discipline, a total of 109 cards were given to Chelsea players in one season during Pochettino’s coaching.
The situation slowly improved as we entered the second half of the season. Chelsea are starting to find consistency and stability in their way of winning. Chelsea, which was previously a team that lost easily, started to slowly achieve victory after victory in every match.
In fact, Chelsea was able to overtake the position of Manchester United (MU) and Newcastle, who since the start of the season have been competing fiercely in the top six.
The condition of Chelsea’s game in the second half of this season, especially in the last matches, shows that the results of the process that was developed in the Pochettino era are starting to show positive signs.
Chelsea began to find a rhythm in the game as Pochettino succeeded in formulating his team and accompanied by the return of several players from injury.
One of the fundamental problems experienced by Pochettino since the start of the season is the problem of player injuries. Important players such as Reecce James, Ben Chilweel and newcomer Christopher Nkunku are suffering from long-term injuries.
In fact, Chelsea once had problems on the front line due to injuries. Cole Palmer, who has become a sensation this season, is the result of limited players on the front lines.
The player bought from Manchester City was initially asked to strengthen the depth of Chelsea’s squad, but then got a regular place because several Chelsea strikers were injured.
Towards the end of the season, Chelsea’s squad slowly became more complete. The team’s performance also improved. Pochettino also received great sympathy from the players to stay.
Palmer acknowledged Pochettino’s influence in the development of Chelsea’s game. Likewise, defensive midfielder Enzo Fernandez really hopes that Pochettino will stay at Chelsea.
However, unexpectedly, the club management under the control of American businessmen, Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, made a surprising decision by ending their tenure with Pochettino.
The decision came at a time when the fruits of Pochettino’s polishing process were starting to take shape. Reportedly, as reported by The Times, Boehly and Eghbali rarely spoke to Pochettino when Chelsea lost badly to Arsenal last April.
It will be a challenge if the new coach who replaces Pochettino does not continue with the same performance. As a result, Chelsea seemed to start from scratch, and the team’s performance was affected.
Not to mention, the challenges experienced by Pochettino still occur during the new coach’s time. Pochettino faces a serious challenge at Chelsea because his role is very limited in player transfer matters. In fact, player recruitment also occurred without consultation from the coach from Argentina.
ASL
