After advancing to the Carabao Cup final, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has claimed his side was built up from “nearly zero”, despite a £1b transfer outlay.
What Happened In Chelsea Vs. Middlesbrough?
Chelsea reached their first Carabao Cup final since 2022 yesterday evening following a 6-1 (6-2 on aggregate) drubbing of Championship opponents Middlesbrough.
Previous League Cup winners Middlesbrough arrived at Stamford Bridge with a 1-0 lead from the first leg and hopeful of progressing to their first League Cup final since winning the competition in 2004.
However, it didn’t take long for Chelsea’s Premier League quality to shine through and in the 15th minute the Blues sustained pressure saw Boro captain Jonny Howson bundle the ball into his own net.
Goals from Enzo Fernandez, Axel Disasi, Cole Palmer (x2) and Noni Madueke saw Chelsea go six up on the night before a consolation goal from the in-demand Morgan Rogers reduced the aggregate gap to four.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea book their place at Wembley after dispatching Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge. 🏟️
Can the Argentinian win his first piece of silverware in English football? 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Ws1Elw7Jvw— 90min (@90min_Football) January 23, 2024
Pochettino Claims His Side Was Built Up From “Nearly Zero”
Following a tough start to life in west London, yesterday’s result will release the pressure valve on Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, who was lauding his side’s achievements in yesterday’s post-match press conference.
Speaking to the media, the Argentinian coach said: “In some points, it’s an amazing achievement because it was an objective when we started because we are not in Europe. To build a team from nearly zero, it was an objective to be at Wembley in February,”
“That job is done but now it’s about winning the final. I am so happy. But on the other side, it looks like it is not so important when Chelsea are out of the Champions League and the Premier League title race. It’s important for the club, it’s important for us and important for this process to build a new team.
“It’s an important step for us for the confidence and belief in ourselves. That’s going to help because of the motivation and players who are close to returning to the team, they are going to want to come back to training tomorrow because of the final!
“I am desperate to win a title here. We won three trophies in Paris and we want to win one here. I am desperate to win trophies, of course.”
Despite being sat 9th in the Premier League table with no European football, has Mauricio Pochettino’s first season at Chelsea been a success?
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