15 December 2023 , 19:43
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Mauricio Pochettino has insisted he is "not crazy" for believing he WILL have success at Chelsea.
The Blues have badly struggled for consistency this season, find themselves in mid-table in the Premier League, and have a mounting injury list. Ahead of their game against Sheffield United on Saturday, Marc Cucurella, Reece James and Robert Sanchez have all been sidelined.
Pochettino revealed that James, who was forced off in Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Everton, is feeling "down" due to his latest hamstring issue, while Sanchez could be out for several weeks with a knee problem. That will see goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic handed his first start, while France international Christopher Nkunku may also feature for the first time.
And while the ex-Spurs and PSG chief knows his start in the Stamford Bridge hotseat hasn't gone smoothly, he believes that he can still make "amazing" things happen in west London.
Pochettino said: “I think it’s so exciting, this project. We knew that it was going to be difficult and yet it’s more difficult because of the circumstance. You always expect to have unexpected circumstances, but not a lot. We are suffering after five, six months.
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“But that is a challenge and it can be a very good thing for us. We are never going to give up and we are going to fight. I think the situation will make us be smarter, cleverer, evolve the coaching staff.
“I think the challenge is massive, but I really believe that we can succeed. It’s only a matter of time, but sometimes it’s a lot to be patient and believe in the way that we are doing.
“The thing, of course, that is the most difficult thing in football is to keep believing when you don’t get the results that you want. For me, [time] is not a problem. We will succeed. For sure, you will see.
“Maybe today you can say ‘this guy is crazy’, but I am not crazy. I know what I am doing.”
Nkunku's debut will be a much-needed boost, but Pochettino warned Chelsea "need to be calm and quiet, not to put all the pressure on him".
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