Chelsea boss Pochettino defends side after Carabao Cup loss،
Mauricio Pochettino defended his team after Gary Neville described Chelsea as 'billion-pound bottle jobs', and said it was impossible to compare the Blues with Liverpool after their Cup final defeat Carabao at Wembley.
Virgil van Dijk's header from Kostas Tsimikas' corner in the 118th minute gave Liverpool a 1-0 win on Sunday, despite missing 11 first-team players due to an injury to Jurgen Klopp and relying on three teenagers to finish the game – the highest number in any league. Cup final since 2007.
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Chelsea finished normal time strongly with Conor Gallagher, Christopher Nkunku and Cole Palmer all spurning late chances before lowering their level in the 30-minute extra period, prompting Neville, in his expert role to Sky Sports, to suggest that “in extra time it was Klopp's game”. children against blue-collar jobs that cost billions of pounds. »
The former Manchester United player's jibe referred to the overall amount spent since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital bought the Blues in May 2022.
In response, Pochettino said: “I don't hear what he said, but if you compare the ages of the two groups, I think it's similar. But listen, I have a good relationship with Gary and I don't know how I can accept it but I respect his opinion.
“Of course we made some changes like Gallagher and [Ben] Chilwell in extra time, but it's true that we didn't keep the energy that allowed us to finish the second half. I don't know how to describe this situation, but I'm definitely proud of the players, I think they made a big effort.
“We are a young team and nothing to compare with Liverpool because they also finished with some young players. It's impossible to compare and he knows that. He knows the dynamic is completely different. I think it's not just to talk about that. way if he says that.
“But we’re going to stay strong and believe in this project and see what we can do in the future.”
The Carabao Cup was Chelsea's best chance of winning silverware in a disappointing first season under Pochettino, with his side sitting 11th in the Premier League after 25 games. They are, however, still alive in the FA Cup, where they will play a fifth round match against Leeds United on Wednesday.
