Chelsea players’ stance on sacking Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino has come under renewed pressure at Chelsea following Tuesday’s 5-0 thrashing by Arsenal.

Chelsea were without star man Cole Palmer at the Emirates, and Arsenal have been flying high, but the 5-0 reverse was still chastening for the Blues.

It left them ninth in the table, 13 points away from the European places with Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur still to play in the coming weeks.

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“We’re showing this inconsistency and that’s why we are where we are,” Pochettino lamented after the game. “We’re able to have an amazing performance [in being edged 1-0 by Manchester City in the FA Cup] and then one like this…”

Chelsea’s managerial churn has been significant in recent seasons, with Pochettino their fifth of the Todd Boehly era – including interims – and the players have reportedly had enough.

Pochettino has players’ backing

“Mauricio Pochettino retains the support of the vast majority of Chelsea players, who would prefer some stability over another managerial change and further upheaval,” reports The Standard’s Nizaar Kinsella.

“Pochettino is well-regarded by most of the dressing room, with players keen for some much-needed stability after two years of constant change and disruption at Chelsea.

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“There is an appreciation among the young squad that Pochettino has shielded them from criticism and worked to foster team spirit in group of new players from different countries.”

Pochettino is also reportedly pushing back against the club’s desire to sell academy graduates such as Conor Gallagher, who would represent pure profit in the Blues’ attempts to balance the books against the backdrop of potential FFP penalties.

Roberto De Zerbi, Jose Mourinho and Ruben Amorim are among those to have been linked with Chelsea’s managerial post should the Boehly and Co. go against what is reportedly the players’ wishes and hand Pochettino his P45.