Pochettino defends team over Carabao Cup defeat

Mauricio Pochettino has defended his “one billion pound” team following their defeat to Liverpool at the Carabao Cup on Sunday evening in Wembley. 

Following the defeat, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville chastised Pochettino for his lacklustre approach.  

Gary Neville, a former Manchester United player, and one-time Valencia manager, criticised the choices in Pochettino’s selection at extra time that caused the team a late-minute winner from Liverpool’s captain Virgil Van Dijk. 

According to Neville, he said “blue billion-pound bottlejobs”  in chastising the Chelsea team that lost to Liverpool on Sunday. 

But in defence of his players, Mauricio Pochetino said his boys made great efforts, and his approach at the extra time was for the players’ management. Poch, in his subtle words, said he respected Neville’s concern, but the teams that played were similar. 

He continued that “We made a few changes, like (Conor) Gallagher and (Ben) Chilwell in extra-time. But it’s true, we didn’t keep the energy when we finished the second-half.

“For sure I feel proud. They made a big effort. We have a young team, and nothing to compare with Liverpool because they finished with young players on the pitch.

“It’s not fair to talk in this way, if he said that. We’re going to keep being strong and believing in this project.”

Recall that, Poch made two substitutions, Conor Gallagher and Ben Chilwell in extra time despite finishing the regular 90 minutes stronger; thereby, they blew away two clinical chances. 

The Argentine gaffer reiterated that the decision was that they had thought they would be playing a penalty shootout before Van Djik’s header ended the affair. 

“Look, of course it was difficult. Of course after we are frustrated. The players feel the disappointment,” he said.

“We were so close to winning the game after 90 minutes. They started to lose their energy. Chilly felt really, really tired. Gallagher, after five minutes, we needed to change.

“The team felt maybe the penalties would be good for us. The effort was massive. I am happy with the effort. It’s about keeping believing in that. We didn’t get the reward we wanted, Pochettino concluded.”