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Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea's head coach, has openly admitted that the role has been more challenging than anticipated.
With Chelsea losing 8 out of 18 games this Premier League season and sitting 10th on the table, Pochettino acknowledged the unexpected difficulties they've faced.
"We knew it was going to be tough this year but never (this tough)," he remarked as reported by Daily Mail, citing injuries and suspensions as key factors impacting their performance.
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Falling Short of Expectations
Pochettino confessed to falling short of his high expectations for Chelsea. He aspired to lead the team to the top of the league, a goal that now seems distant.
"We are so far away (from our targets)... We need to compete better if we want to win more games," he stated, stressing the need for improvement.
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Discipline and Pressure
Despite recent disciplinary issues, as seen in their match against Wolves where five players were booked, Pochettino insists the team's struggles are not due to a lack of discipline.
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He attributes the yellow cards to the pressure of playing for a prominent club like Chelsea and sees it as an area for growth, especially for newer players like Cole Palmer. "It’s about having the ability to read the situation of the game," he explained.
Chelsea will host Crystal Palace in their next Premier League game and will be missing key players like Raheem Sterling and Palmer. The Blues are in desperate need of a win, as the pressure continues to mount on Pochettino.
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