22 December 2023 , 15:29
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Mauricio Pochettino says Chelsea aren't a charity and returning stars must earn the right to play as his primary objective is winning football matches.
The agitated Argentine has fired a fierce warning to his squad over what it takes to be selected during an emotional rant - in which he also slammed recent complaints from entourages close to his players.
Pochettino said: "I want to make clear with the players with a big period off, they are desperate to be involved. They can be involved – but in which way? In which form? At what level? It’s easy to say, ‘I want to play’, but we are competing. This is a serious competition.
"After six months off like [Christopher] Nkunku and [Romeo] Lavia, they need to understand they must train really, really hard every day to be involved. They need to make an impact every time they go to the pitch. For many things it is an excuse: ‘I want to play. If I don’t have time I can’t perform'.
"You need to understand, the players need to understand that this is not a charity thing; that we are going to play football, we need to win."
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Pochettino also took a swipe at Nkunku's inner circle, who he revealed recently raised frustrations that the £52million summer signing was an unused substitute against Sheffield United.
Christopher Nkunku made his return to action for Chelsea against Newcastle (Getty Images)Pochettino added: "Sometimes the professionals feel so disappointed because they want to play. It’s difficult to understand. The environment of the player, also, they say they are disappointed because Nkunku didn’t play against Sheffield United.
"I am disappointed to have a player that should be an important player for us is not helping the team. If he doesn't play, it is not because we don’t believe in him. It is because there are many other players fit and training in six months and at that moment maybe we need to decide."
Pochettino even pointed out players are still receiving big-money salaries all the while they're sidelined through injury. He concluded: “The club is disappointed they are investing big to play, to score goals and when you are not scoring goals, okay we pay the salary every month if you don’t play or you are injured.
"Who suffered for us? The coaches. Who suffered for the club? It’s to get the right balance in this business. It’s so important.”