After nine years of waiting, Mauricio Pochettino has finally secured a spot in a cup final in England. However, for the Chelsea head coach, merely reaching the Carabao Cup final will not suffice – he must win it. The Blues’ resounding 6-1 triumph over Middlesbrough in the semifinal second-leg at Stamford Bridge confirmed their first Carabao Cup final appearance since their defeat to Liverpool in 2022. If they can overcome Fulham in Wednesday’s second leg at Craven Cottage, they will face Jurgen Klopp’s team once again on Feb. 25. Unfortunately for Pochettino, his failure to achieve similar success during his time at Tottenham has always worked against him. With only a Carabao Cup final defeat and a UEFA Champions League final loss to his name, Pochettino’s track record in knockout competitions is under scrutiny.
Tottenham’s Cup Priorities Under Pochettino
During his tenure at Tottenham, Pochettino seemingly undervalued domestic cups. He placed emphasis on securing Champions League qualification, either by winning or finishing in the Premier League top four. As a result, Pochettino’s six attempts at the Carabao Cup yielded only one final, which ended in defeat against Chelsea. The outcome was no different in the FA Cup, with two losing semifinals as the best result over five campaigns. Pochettino’s ability to prioritize his objectives stemmed from Tottenham’s constrained resources, both financially and in terms of squad depth. However, the same cannot be said for Chelsea.
Chelsea’s Pursuit of Success Under Roman Abramovich
Since Roman Abramovich’s takeover in 2003, Chelsea has transformed into a powerhouse and a fierce contender in every competition. The club has experienced triumph in all the major tournaments multiple times over the past two decades. Although Abramovich’s departure in 2022 signaled a change of ownership, Chelsea’s new American owners maintained the pressure for success. Yet, since the sale, Chelsea has endured instability, appointing Pochettino as their fourth manager in a short period of time. The club has spent a staggering £910 million on 25 new players, while also witnessing numerous departures. In spite of their significant investments, Chelsea has often fallen short of their ambitions.
Despite Chelsea’s tumultuous recent history, Pochettino’s young team is gradually improving. Their victory against Middlesbrough was their fifth win in six games across all competitions. Players such as Raheem Sterling, Enzo Fernández, and Cole Palmer consistently deliver standout performances. Sterling was instrumental in three first-half goals, Palmer found the back of the net twice, and Fernández contributed a sublime goal. Jonny Howson’s own goal, along with strikes from Axel Disasi and Noni Madueke, sealed Chelsea’s dominant win, while Morgan Rogers provided a late consolation for Boro. These positive results indicate that Chelsea is on the right track.
For Pochettino, winning a major trophy is crucial to solidify his status as one of the game’s top coaches. Building exciting young teams, as he did at Spurs and Southampton, is not sufficient if it does not culminate in silverware. While Chelsea would be the favorites against London rivals Fulham at Wembley, they would face an uphill battle against Liverpool. Nonetheless, Chelsea is one of the most successful clubs in the past decade, with only Manchester City winning more trophies. Thus, regardless of their opponent, Chelsea takes the field with the expectation of victory. The team possesses talent, trophy-winning experience in Sterling, Palmer, and Thiago Silva, and a coach eager to prove himself.
A Step Closer to Glory
Though far from the finished product, Chelsea finds themselves just one win away from lifting a trophy. This scenario is a promising position for both the team and Pochettino, considering his recent arrival at the club last summer. The pressure is undoubtedly mounting, but Pochettino has the opportunity to cement his legacy at Chelsea with a Carabao Cup triumph. The journey towards success has been riddled with challenges and changes, but the clouds are finally beginning to clear for Pochettino and Chelsea.
Pochettino’s quest for cup success has been hindered by his previous lackluster performances in knockout competitions. However, his move to Chelsea presents an opportunity for redemption. The pressure is on for Pochettino to guide Chelsea to victory in the Carabao Cup final and establish his name among the top coaches in the game. The road to success may be long and arduous, but Chelsea’s recent improvements indicate that they are moving in the right direction.
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