Mauricio Pochettino, the Chelsea head coach, expressed his frustration openly after his team’s inability to secure a victory against ten-man Burnley at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
Despite Burnley being reduced to ten men following Lorenz Assignon’s dismissal in the first half, Chelsea faced setbacks twice, with Cole Palmer scoring his 17th and 18th goals of the 2023-24 campaign for Pochettino’s side.
Their efforts were in vain as Burnley managed to salvage a point in the 81st minute, ultimately resulting in a 2-2 draw.
Despite dominating possession with 69% and registering 33 shots against Burnley, Chelsea squandered numerous key opportunities, much to Pochettino’s dismay.
“We lost two points. I’m extremely disappointed with how we managed the situation in the second half,” lamented the Argentine coach. He acknowledged Chelsea’s ability to create numerous chances when in possession but emphasized the need to improve their conversion rate.
Pochettino expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s defensive performance, highlighting the lack of intensity and resilience, which he deemed essential attributes for competing in the Premier League.
“I’m feeling angry and disappointed because we give up too much when we are on the defensive,” Pochettino added, emphasizing the importance of mental and emotional strength over physical prowess.
He stressed the need for the team to exhibit greater determination and energy, especially when not in possession of the ball.
Pochettino apologized for not being directly involved in the players’ performance when the ball is out of play but emphasized the importance of generating scoring opportunities and maintaining agility to exploit defensive vulnerabilities effectively.
He acknowledged Burnley’s physicality and emphasized Chelsea’s need to match their opponents’ strength while also possessing the ability to regain possession efficiently.
Pochettino’s comments also hinted at Chelsea’s intention to acquire a natural goal scorer in the upcoming summer transfer window.
He attributed Chelsea’s wastefulness in front of goal to Nicolas Jackson’s inconsistent form and Christopher Nkunku’s injury problems, indicating the club’s desire to address this issue through potential signings.
Overall, Pochettino’s frustration stemmed from Chelsea’s inability to capitalize on their dominance and convert scoring opportunities into goals, highlighting areas for improvement as the team progresses through the season.
