Incoming Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has already shown he is no pushover and will not be scared to upset the biggest stars at Stamford Bridge. At Tottenham, Pochettino’s discipline was key to cultivating a positive atmosphere – and he was willing to publicly criticise players who stepped out of line.
Chelsea’s struggles this season makes Pochettino the ideal candidate to turn the club around, given his willingness to dress down under-performing players. The Argentine is understood to be closing in on a deal to become the Blues’ new manager.
Pochettino famously told Dele Alli he needed to ‘learn’ after the attacker was booked for simulation in a game against Huddersfield in 2017. Other managers might have taken a more diplomatic view on the incident, but Pochettino knew that criticising the England international would ensure he was never embroiled in a similar situation again.
The then-Spurs boss said: “If it was like this he needs to learn. He must learn because this type of action doesn’t help him, it doesn’t help the team and it doesn’t help football.
“We are talking in the last few years about fair play and being honest. But I think he’s improving a lot and learning but still it’s a little bit in that point that he needs to learn.”
Later on during his spell in north London, Pochettino criticised comments Danny Rose made about some of the club’s signings. The left-back alleged he had to use Google to learn more about players who were linked with the club.
“That is not a joke. When you sign players like Eric Dier, who are internationals today, nobody knew him,” a bemused Pochettino hit back. “Or Dele Alli who was in League One, or [N’Golo] Kante. I don’t think it’s a matter to joke about because with some of the international players today, maybe one or two years ago, none of us knew them very well.
“And when I first arrived here [in England], people wanted to know who Mauricio Pochettino [was] too. If you remember five years ago, people said ‘who is Pochettino?’ I’m sure they used Chrome or Google or Yahoo to find out!”
It comes amid reports that the Chelsea squad are set for a ‘gruelling’ start to pre-season training under Pochettino. According to Sky Sports, the 51-year-old is expected to demand a better work ethic on and off the pitch.
Chelsea’s players will therefore be keen to impress the ex-PSG head coach. It remains to be seen if he will castigate anyone who falls foul of his strict disciplinary rules.