“Players Need to Understand That This is Not a Charity” Mauricio Pochettino Bites Back

Chelsea’s coach Mauricio Pochettino issues a warning, saying that his team is not a charity and that his players should stop whining about not getting enough playing time.When questioned about Romeo Lavia’s availability—the player is almost back to the team after recovering from an injury—the Argentine manager became enraged, telling his players they have to put in sacrifice and hard work to earn a spot in his squad.

“All of the players after a big period, they are desperate to be involved. Even a message for the player, they cannot make the mistake,” he said at Friday’s press conference. “They want to be involved but we are competing and the competition is serious. They need to train really hard every day, because they need to be an impact every time they go to the pitch. It’s not pre-season games. For many things it is an excuse, for many it is: ‘I want to play, if I cannot play I cannot perform’. You need to understand but players need to understand that this is not a charity, that they are going to play…”

“We need to win. The environment of the player is also disappointed… I am disappointed to have a player who should be important for us but is not helping the team. Maybe I am talking too much but come on, it is annoying me. Not you. People around the player, or the player. I am disappointed, the club is disappointed it is investing big to perform and score goals, pay the salary every month if you are injured or not performing. Who suffered us, who suffered for the coaches, for the club. It is to get the right balance.”

Since joining the Blues during the summer transfer window from Southampton, Lavia has not yet made his competitive debut. Since the beginning of the season, the midfielder has missed time due to an injury. After sustaining the injury during the preseason, Christopher Nkunku is also being gradually added to the squad.

He made his Carabao Cup debut against Newcastle in midweek, scoring a penalty that helped the Blues win in a shootout. Lavia might make his London club debut on Sunday when the Blues take on Wolves in the Premier League, according to Pochettino. After defeating Sheffield United 2-0 the previous week, Chelsea entered the match in 10th place in the Premier League.