After nine years of waiting, Mauricio Pochettino has finally reached a cup final in England. However, simply participating in the Carabao Cup final next month won’t be enough for the Chelsea head coach – he has to win it. Chelsea’s dominant 6-1 victory over Middlesbrough in the semifinals confirmed their first Carabao Cup final appearance since 2022, where they were defeated by Liverpool. To lift the trophy, they must first overcome the challenge of Fulham in the second leg. While Chelsea has been a regular presence in cup finals, Pochettino’s track record in knockout competitions during his tenure at Tottenham has always been a point of criticism.
At Tottenham, Pochettino’s focus on Champions League qualification meant that the domestic cups often took a back seat. He believed that securing a top-four Premier League finish or winning the league was the priority for Spurs. As a result, his six attempts at the Carabao Cup only yielded one final appearance, a defeat against Chelsea. In the FA Cup, Tottenham reached two semifinals but fell short of making it to the final. Pochettino had the luxury of choosing his priorities at Tottenham due to the club’s financial limitations and lack of squad depth. However, the situation is different at Chelsea.
Since Roman Abramovich’s takeover of Chelsea in 2003, the club has transformed into a perennial contender in every competition. They have consistently won trophies and remained a force to be reckoned with. Although Abramovich’s ownership ended in 2022 due to his assets being frozen by the UK government following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the club’s demand for success hasn’t changed under the new American owners. However, in recent years, Chelsea has faced challenges and undergone significant managerial changes.
Since May 2022, Chelsea has gone through four different managers and made substantial investments in player acquisitions and departures, amounting to £910 million. While trophies have eluded them, signs of progress are starting to emerge. Pochettino’s young team is gradually improving and becoming more consistent. Their recent 6-1 victory over Middlesbrough was their fifth win in the past six games across all competitions. Raheem Sterling, Enzo Fernández, and Cole Palmer showcased their talent and contributed significantly to the team’s success. This improved performance is a testament to the team’s development under Pochettino’s guidance.
Despite the signs of progress, both Chelsea and Pochettino are aware that winning a trophy is vital for cementing their status in the game. For Chelsea, winning trophies has become an expectation and a testament to their success. The team possesses the talent, experience, and a coach with a point to prove. Pochettino’s previous achievements in building exciting young teams at Tottenham and Southampton are commendable, but without silverware, his reputation can be questioned. Whether facing Fulham or Liverpool in the final, Chelsea will step onto the Wembley pitch with the determination to claim victory, knowing that success is the standard for top clubs like theirs.
Although this Chelsea team is still a work in progress, they find themselves on the cusp of winning a major trophy. This achievement is a significant milestone for both the team and Pochettino, considering his relatively recent arrival at the club last summer. The potential of adding a trophy to their cabinet can serve as a springboard for further success and motivation for the team to continue developing under Pochettino’s guidance.
Pochettino faces a crucial moment in his managerial career at Chelsea. The club’s cup final appearances have been far more frequent than his tenure at Tottenham, but he must now deliver silverware to cement his status as one of the game’s top coaches. With the talent and resources at his disposal, along with the club’s history of success, the Carabao Cup final presents an opportunity for both Chelsea and Pochettino to end their trophyless spell. The result of the match will define their progress and determine their trajectory for the future.
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