05 November 2023 , 20:30
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Mauricio Pochettino is gearing up for his first return to Tottenham since becoming Chelsea manager on Monday night and may be on the receiving end of a hostile welcome.
The Argentine spent five years at the helm in north London and transformed Spurs' fortunes, regularly qualifying for Champions League football and even putting them in the odd title race. However, all the goodwill he had amassed among the Spurs faithful may have gone the moment he put pen to paper on a deal to become manager of London rivals Chelsea earlier this year.
Pochettino took the reins at Stamford Bridge before the start of pre-season and while it has by no means been a dream start to life in west London, he was and remains a popular appointment. In the eyes of many Chelsea fans, hiring the former Southampton boss is one of the few correct calls made by the Todd Boehly-led ownership regime.
The players certainly seem to think so, with multiple reports at the time of his appointment explaining that the decision to hire Pochettino was a popular one among the squad. At the time, the Blues dressing room were believed to be so keen to see the back of a disastrous campaign that saw them guided by both Graham Potter and then Frank Lampard, Pochettino was viewed as a sensible, safe pair of hands.
As mentioned, it's hardly been a stroll in the park for Pochettino at Chelsea so far. The Blues sit 11th in the table having won just three of their opening 10 league games so far. Many saw the 2-2 draw at home against Arsenal earlier this point as a turning point, but all that followed was a 2-0 home defeat by Brentford.
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Pochettino recently addressed Monday night's Spurs reunion and insisted he was keen on looking forward, rather than back. Pressed for comment about his feelings towards his old side, the Argentine told "I think we cannot change our history and I'm very proud of my past, but we need to move on and now we are here.
"I need to show we are together at Chelsea. At the moment I am so happy and I hope that we can improve, but we are in a different project and we need to be clever in the way we develop ideas."
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Mauricio Pochettino has a big job on his hands at Chelsea (JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)Chelsea go into the game with a fresh injury boost, after Pochettino confirmed that right-back Reece James is ready to return. The often-crocked defender started Wednesday night's Carabao Cup clash at home to Blackburn from the off and came through unscathed.
Pochettino also called on the Stamford Bridge faithful to stick with the team, adding: "I think they need to be with us and I know it’s difficult to keep your feelings and it’s normal. The fans want to win and are frustrated and they show emotion but the message is to believe and to show trust in us and for sure it’s about the process of trusting and believing.