Pochettino on Chelsea boos: I’m in charge, fans must trust me،
Mauricio Pochettino urged Chelsea fans to show their “unconditional” support and trust his judgment after many supporters criticized his decision-making and Raheem Sterling's performance in the FA quarter-final victory Cup on Sunday against Leicester City.
Chelsea needed two stoppage-time goals to win 4-2 at Stamford Bridge as substitutes Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke struck late to eliminate the Championship side, who were reduced to 10 men after Callum Doyle's red card in the 73rd minute.
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Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer had earlier given the home side a 2-0 first-half lead, either side of Sterling, missing a penalty and then a golden opportunity when they were sent off just before the break.
Pochettino's decision to introduce Chukwuemeka for Mykhailo Mudryk in the 78th minute was met with chants of “you don't know what you're doing” from angry Chelsea fans, who also turned on Sterling in shouting “get rid of him” after skiing a free match. -cut.
“I'm not the manager here to do what people want,” Pochettino said. “Besides, I'm not stupid. I did it to get going again. For me, I saw Mudryk. We were analyzing, he was tired and doing some stretching. We thought maybe he wouldn't finish the match and we decide to start with Mudryk and then for Raheem.
“That's because we have to see everything. We are professional. We want to win but of course we understand the situation completely. That doesn't mean I agree. But listen, we are going to support Mudryk, Raheem and all players on the team.
“I am not only asking the [fans] trust me. They have to trust the club because in the end, if I am here, it is the club's decision and they have to trust the club's project, as well as me and the club. They have to trust that the club is doing what they think is right for the club and for the fans. It's about trusting everyone. »
Chelsea were pegged back when Axel Disasi scored a comical own goal six minutes after the break before Stephy Mavididi equalized brilliantly just after the hour mark.
But Chelsea found a way to win and book their second appearance at Wembley this season after losing the Carabao Cup final to Liverpool.
Pochettino defended Sterling and called for unity among the club's supporters, with many fans frustrated after a campaign which currently sees them in 11th place in the Premier League despite spending more than £1 billion since that Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital completed their acquisition in May 2022.
“It’s obvious, I can’t hide anything,” Pochettino said. “The feelings were not good for him [Sterling] but I will support him.
“Today is a great opportunity to support him. He has an incredible CV, a player who has played in great teams, an experienced player.
“Of course, today he missed the penalty and a few chances. But listen, I'm happy with him, we will support him.
“Maybe I also have to explain to the fans. We have to accept. That doesn't mean we agree or disagree. But we have to accept. All football fans live with expectations and always want it. better for the club and the player.
“When you don't meet expectations, that's the hard thing for our fans to understand. I also said in the past: I'm strong, I have no problems. We will continue to move in the same direction. Good Of course we want to create a better atmosphere. I can't lie.
“I hope that in the next match, our fans will still be die-hard [being] behind the team because we represent Chelsea. The players also want to give the best of themselves for the club and for the supporters. We are in a process where we want to make our fans happy. I hope we can create a good connection with the fans until the end of the season. I'm not going to criticize them, ever because they have the right to say whatever they want.”
