26 September 2023 , 14:32
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Mauricio Pochettino has claimed he “likes” when Chelsea’s owners come into the dressing room, whilst insisting they can “do what they want”.
Both Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali have regularly been figures in the dressing room after games since their takeover at Stamford Bridge was rubber-stamped. The former first appeared in April last year in an attempt to give a rousing speech and get the Blues back on track following a rotten first season at the helm.
He faced severe criticism at the time. However, co-owner Eghbali was not to be deterred by that backlash. Reports have claimed he also visited the home dressing room in the aftermath of defeat to Aston Villa.
He did not stage a speech and was reported to have just greeted players and staff members. Head coach Pochettino has insisted that the owners are welcome behind the scenes any time.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of this week’s Carabao Cup clash with Brighton, the Argentine said: "I like when the owners come. In all my career as a coach, at Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain before and after. I think it is good that the owner came to the dressing room.
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"It's the way they approach the player is important, if they are in a good way then they are very welcome. After my press conference after the game against Aston Villa, they came and chill with us, like normally.
“Also against Liverpool, Luton, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, they came with co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart and Behdad. We talk about the game - I don't see it in a bad way.
Todd Boehly faced criticism for entering the Chelsea dressing room last season (Getty Images)Should Chelsea's owners be allowed in the dressing room? Share your thoughts in the comments below
“For me, it's always good if they share with us and they can say hello to the players. It would be different if they came for a speech or something, but with the way that they came, of course they are very welcome.
“They own the club, they can do whatever they want. We are so glad they came and shared with us – even when it's good things and we won the game, but even on Sunday where we lost and we are suffering."
Pochettino, Boehly and Eghbali will certainly hope that the three can have slightly cheerier meetings in the dressing room sooner rather than later. The Blues have only won twice this season.
Their 1-0 reverse at the hands of Aston Villa made it three matches in a row in which they’ve failed to find the net. Chelsea have not gone four consecutive Premier League games without a goal since 1998.