Mauricio Pochettino has discussed his vision for Chelsea and it's in line with what owner Todd Boehly made clear last week.

Mauricio Pochettino outlines Chelsea mentality that him and Todd Boehly agree on

Chelsea news as the Blues manager highlighted his feelings around the club ahead of their clash with Manchester United on Wednesday night

05 Dec 2023, 18:00 by Oliver Jones · football.london

Mauricio Pochettino has claimed it is 'unfair' for supporters and the media to compare his Chelsea team to other sides in the Premier League because of their process ahead of their clash with Manchester United tomorrow night.

The Blues will head to Old Trafford with the chance to close the gap to the top four down to seven points, with a win potentially bringing them up to eighth if results go their way. It's been an up-and-down first half of the season under the Argentinian, having lost against just one of the top five in the league including a 4-1 win over rivals Tottenham and a 4-4 draw against reigning champions Manchester City.

However, losses to the likes of Nottingham Forest, West Ham and a 4-1 hammering at St. James' Park against Newcastle United have seen inconsistency creep in and hold back the Blues from making a serious challenge for European football over the campaign so far. Injuries haven't been kind to the side either, with many first team stars missing each and every game often making it impossible for Pochettino to field his strongest starting XI on a consistent basis.

Despite the setbacks though, he's adamant that he's happy with the progress they've made after a torrid season under Graham Potter last year that saw them record their worst league finish in the last 30 years. At his pre-match press conference, Pochettino claimed: "I am focused on my club. We need to do much better. It's a process that I can explain but never compare with another club.

"Little by little we are building something we believe is going to be amazing for the future of the club, that is about a period of time and earning the thing that we want. Never to compare to another club because I think it is not fair. If you ask me I am happy here in this project, yes I am happy here in this project.

"We are dealing with many situations we need to improve also. Maybe if someone sees the project from outside maybe some people believe we need advice or opinions from the outside. I am so respectful with another club and we are building something here, working really hard and 200 per cent focused on evolving and developing the project we want together. That is my focus to try and deliver the job for this football club."

Pochettino comments echo what the club's co-owner Todd Boehly spoke about in the club's Annual Lunch event last week where he shared some words with supporters who attended the event. Since Boehly's arrival at Stamford Bridge, the Blues have spent over £1 billion in transfer deals but Pochettino is yet to reap the rewards of such heavy investment.

Despite that, the American was upbeat in his assessment of the future of the club, saying: "This is an event that I have heard so much about, when current and former Chelsea players are joined by hundreds of supporters to celebrate everything that is good about this wonderful football club. I am excited and honoured to be able to experience it for the first time.

"The theme this year is Through the Ages, looking back at the club’s illustrious history since its foundation in 1905 and, as you can see from the trophies around the room here today, and the past and present players taking to the stage, there is a lot to celebrate.

"We want to continue building on the success that the club has enjoyed over the years, and our mantra has not changed from the day that we became custodians of Chelsea Football Club. We want to win, together, and make you proud."

It's something that the pair have been pedalling for a while now - all that the club needs is time and that if supporters are patient with the players and the project, there will be rewards. And although the 3-2 win over Brighton last weekend went down to the wire and was undoubtedly nervy, Pochettino continued pushing his belief that he should be proud of his side's performance for digging out a win after going down to 10 men.

"It was good for us, when you analyse the game you feel proud," he said. "The way we start the first half against a very good team like Brighton, after our situation tried to change our feelings after Newcastle. It was a really tough game for us, not only because it was Brighton, because it was us trying to show a different face.

"I think I was tired after the game and in the press conference I think I didn't understand a little bit, the questions. I say sorry because I was tired after the interview because I think the players deserved more credit. To play more than 60 minutes with one less against a team that is really good and we didn't concede too much and to score with one player less was great for our players and for the team to really believe.

"These areas we need to build and feel very comfortable and have the possibility to fight altogether and show character and togetherness. That is so important. Before talking about tactics, philosophy or methodology it's about being all together, the desire, to belong to the club, this group of players fighting altogether. If we feel like this after we can evolve and develop in any way to play.

"We are happy with the squad. Only that from the beginning of the season we deal with too many injuries, unexpected. If you see tomorrow, the squad, too many young guys will be involved from the academy."

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