Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure at Chelsea was marked by a series of challenges that hindered the team’s performance. A significant issue was the lack of a clinical striker, leading to squandered scoring opportunities. Chelsea missed 36 of their 57 big chances in the Premier League during the 2023-2024 season, the worst record in the league. This inefficiency contributed to a negative goal differential, with only Manchester United having a worse expected goals versus goals scored disparity.
Pochettino also faced difficulties integrating new signings into the team. Despite significant investment, many players struggled to adapt, leading to inconsistent performances. For instance, Enzo Fernández, despite his potential, had a modest return of three goals and three assists in 42 games, falling short of expectations for a player of his caliber.
Furthermore, Pochettino acknowledged that many of his young players struggled to cope with the pressure at Chelsea. He organized team-building activities to address this issue, emphasizing the need for mental resilience alongside tactical proficiency.
Despite these challenges, there were moments of improvement. Pochettino’s side showed signs of cohesion and tactical understanding, leading to a more positive outlook towards the end of the season. However, the inconsistency in performances and results ultimately led to his departure from the club.
In summary, Pochettino’s analysis of Chelsea’s struggles would likely focus on the need for a clinical striker, better integration of new signings, mental resilience among players, and consistent performances to meet the high expectations associated with a club of Chelsea’s stature.