'We are not a charity' - Pochettino launches incredible Chelsea rant

Cameron Smith

• 22 Dec 2023 10:13 CST
• 4 min read

Mauricio Pochettino has taken aim at his Chelsea squad, stating that it “annoys” him when players returning from injury demand regular minutes.

The Blues head coach oversaw their last-gasp comeback against Newcastle United in midweek, with Mykhailo Mudryk netting a stoppage time equaliser before Djordje Petrovic saved Matt Ritchie’s penalty in the shootout to book Chelsea’s place in the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Pochettino handed Christopher Nkunku his competitive debut during the game, but has admitted the Frenchman still has a way to go in regards to earning a starting berth at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues have been dealt a tough hand with injuries this campaign, and the likes of Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Wesley Fofana are currently sidelined.

Romeo Lavia is yet to make his debut for the club too, but the Belgian midfielder has returned to full team training this week. However, Pochettino had admitted that Lavia won’t immediately be rewarded with a place in the starting XI.

Mauricio Pochettino launches Chelsea rant

During a press conference ahead of Chelsea’s trip to face Wolves at Molineux on Christmas Eve, Pochettino didn’t hold back with his comments.

“Lavia is similar to Nkunku when he arrived and couldn’t make his debut,” Pochettino told the media, as per BBC Sport. “After nearly six months maybe, he will be involved with the team. He is doing well but he still needs time to get his best form.”

The former Tottenham Hotspur boss then expressed his frustration at the situation his players have put him in.

“I want to make it clear, all of the players after a big period out, they are desperate to be involved. They want to be involved but in which way? We are competing and the competition is serious.

“After six months, they need to understand they need to train really hard every day, double the players that are fit because they need to be an impact every time they go to the pitch.”

Most of Chelsea’s summer signings have been injured at some point this season and Pochettino conveyed that he is unable to reward players with regular minutes just because they have returned from injury.

“It's not pre-season,” the Argentine admitted. “It is six months. For many things it is an excuse, for many it is 'I want to play, - if I don’t have time I cannot perform'. You need to understand and the players need to understand, it is not charity. We need to win, we must win.

“The players are disappointed [when they don’t play], like Nkunku against Sheffield United. I am disappointed to have a player who should be important for us who is not helping the team.

“If he didn’t play, it's not because we don't believe in him or Lavia. It is because too many players are fit and training and playing during six months and are more ready than these guys.

“It's about the moment. It’s today and who is ready to compete and ready to provide the things that we expect from the players. Maybe I am talking too much but it’s true. It annoys me sometimes.”

Chelsea travel to Molineux on Sunday, hoping to solidify their place in the top-half of the table. The Blues are currently 10th, five points behind West Ham in ninth, and a defeat would see Wolves draw level on points with them.