Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella has voiced his support for manager Mauricio Pochettino, despite the club’s underwhelming debut season under the Argentine boss.
With no trophies secured and a fading hope for European qualification, speculation swirled around Pochettino’s potential dismissal. However, Cucurella, following Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa, emphasized the players’ backing for their manager.
“The second half showed the players want him to stay,” Cucurella said, highlighting Pochettino’s effective halftime intervention that sparked the team’s comeback. “We haven’t won consistently, but that’s on all of us. We have the talent, but haven’t shown it.”
Taking responsibility for recent losses, Cucurella deflected blame from Pochettino: “The coach wasn’t at fault for the 5-0 defeat (to Arsenal). It’s about our attitude. He’s a great communicator and has our support. Everything’s fine within the team.”
Cucurella concluded with a call for collective improvement: “We all need to step up, maintain consistency in effort and results. Unity is key to achieving our goals.”
This statement suggests Pochettino may retain his position despite a trophyless season. The team’s second-half resurgence against Aston Villa, potentially fueled by Pochettino’s halftime talk, seems to have instilled confidence in the manager. Cucurella’s focus on player accountability and Pochettino’s positive influence within the squad paints a picture of a team determined to improve under their current leadership. While European qualification remains a challenge, Cucurella’s optimism reflects a belief in the team’s potential if they can maintain focus and unity.