According to a recent report, Chelsea figures find Mauricio Pochettino’s handling of a key player frustrating.
On Saturday, Chelsea secured a 1-0 victory against local rivals Fulham, marking their first time winning three consecutive Premier League games this season.
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Cole Palmer scored his fifth penalty after Issa Diop was deemed to have fouled Raheem Sterling just before halftime.
Securing three crucial points was essential for Chelsea. Despite a setback with a 1-0 loss to Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, their recent strong performance elevated them to the top half of the Premier League, maintaining slim hopes for European football.
Yet, doubts about Pochettino’s management linger within the fanbase and reportedly among the club hierarchy.
The Telegraph, in particular, has suggested that Pochettino’s deployment of Levi Colwill at left-back has sparked “frustration” both inside and outside Stamford Bridge.
Despite delivering a solid performance against Fulham, contributing to the club’s second clean sheet in 14 games, the 20-year-old Colwill is inherently a center-back.
In contrast, Ben Chilwell, known for his left-back expertise, made a return as a substitute on Saturday. He continued to operate, much like before his injury, on the left wing, displacing Colwill.
The circumstances are unusual, especially with Marc Cucurella recovering from surgery and Ian Maatsen currently on loan at Borussia Dortmund.
However, it appears probable that Pochettino will persist with Colwill in that position for the remainder of the season.
As the winter break approaches, Pochettino has a lot on his plate for contemplation.
In his press conference, he said: “We need to give some rest to the players and the staff because it is a really busy period now and they need to breathe a little bit. This break is very useful.
“I need to go to see my family [in Spain] and it is going to be good to have a little bit of a change. I won’t really be able to switch off — not with the chairman. I will need to be available 24 hours in case anything happens to be contacted by the sporting director or the owners. I know that something can always appear in football.
“To be honest, I would prefer it if the phone did not ring. If it does not ring, it is much better for me.”
