Pochettino Attributes Flat Atmosphere at Stamford Bridge to Last Season’s Home Struggles

Mauricio Pochettino has pointed to Chelsea’s lackluster home form from the previous season as the cause behind the subdued atmosphere at Stamford Bridge. Despite being undefeated in their last eight home games, the mood around the stadium has been lackluster, especially when Chelsea faces challenges in breaking down resilient opponents. Pochettino, who took charge last summer, believes this disconnect between players and fans stems from the difficulties encountered in the previous season under different management.

The Chelsea head coach emphasizes that the impact of the past 18 months has contributed to the current atmosphere. Despite showing improvement in results during his six-month tenure, the disappointment among fans persists from the struggles of the previous season. Pochettino acknowledges that certain games, such as against Brentford or Nottingham Forest, saw a drop in energy due to the team’s inability to engage the fans. However, he highlights positive fan support in matches against teams like Arsenal, Manchester City, Brighton, and Liverpool.

Looking ahead to the Carabao Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough, where Chelsea trails 1-0, Pochettino believes a strong performance and the right attitude from the team can reignite the fans’ support. He acknowledges the fans’ desire to win, aligning with Chelsea’s winning history, and expresses disappointment over last season’s home defeats affecting the energy levels at Stamford Bridge.

Pochettino also addresses the need to apologize to the fans for players not applauding them adequately after the first-leg match against Middlesbrough. While understanding the players’ disappointment, he emphasizes the importance of recognizing the fans’ efforts. As Chelsea aims for victory to reach their first final since the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital takeover, Pochettino calls for the team to convey positive energy to motivate the fans.

In terms of team news, Christopher Nkunku remains unavailable due to a hip injury, sidelining the forward since December 30. Right-back Malo Gusto is out with a muscle problem, potentially paving the way for Ben Chilwell to feature at left-back.