MAURICIO POCHETTINO has launched a scathing attack on Chelsea player’s entourages over game time claims.
The Blues boss insisted that the club is “not a charity” and that players coming back from injuries will not get their spots straight away.
Christopher Nkunku made his long-awaited debut for Chelsea in the Carabao Cup win over Newcastle in mid-week.
The Frenchman played for 21 minutes as the Blues made it through to the semi-finals.
Romeo Lavia is another Chelsea star who has struggled with injury since arriving.
The club spent £58million on the midfielder however he is yet to make his debut for the club.
When asked if Lavia is closer to making his first appearance for the club, Pochettino launched into an astonishing rant.
He said: “You need to understand, the players need to understand that that is not a charity thing; that we are going to play football, we need to win.
“Sometimes the professionals feel so disappointed because they want to play. It’s difficult to understand.
“The environment of the player, also, they say they are disappointed because Nkunku didn’t play against Sheffield United.
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
“I am disappointed to have a player that should be an important player for us is not helping the team.
“If he didn’t play, it is not because we don’t believe in him, or in this case Lavia.
“It is because there are many other players fit and training in six months and in that moment maybe we need to decide, to make an impact with players that are more ready than these guys.”
Pochettino continued his rant but did not want to name anyone, but insisted that the player’s entourages are “annoying” him.
We pay the salary every month if you don’t play or you are injured.
Mauricio Pochettino
The manager insisted that the club are just as disappointed when players can not play due to injury, due to the high costs involved.
He added: “We are not talking about names, or suppose he is going to be better than one [player]. We are talking about today, who is ready to compete and provide what we are expecting for the team.
“Maybe I am talking too much. But it’s true. But come on, it’s annoying me. Not you [the journalists]. The people around the player, ‘Oh I wanted to play. I am disappointed’. Oh, come on. I am disappointed.
“The club is disappointed they are investing big to play, to score goals and when you are not scoring goals, okay we pay the salary every month if you don’t play or you are injured.
“Who suffered for us? The coaches. Who suffered for the club? It’s always [this]. No, come on. It’s to get the right balance in this business. It’s so important.”
Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
