Mauricio Pochettino is set to fill out his squad with youngsters from Chelsea’s Cobham academy when the Blues face off with AFC Wimbledon in the second round of the Carabao Cup. Pochettino admitted that the west London side’s injury situation has forced him into the decision, but admitted that he hopes to ‘reinforce and energise’ the academy. Chelsea have seen academy products in Mason Mount and Lewis Hall depart this summer, while Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah have been widely linked to moves away from the club despite being prominent members of the first team over the last 12 months. Pochettino plans to make use of four or five players from academy on his bench for the visit of the Dons. The quality that has been consistently produced by the youth setup, led my Jim Fraser and Neil Bath is something that Pochettino was very aware from as far back as his time at Southampton however.
Mauricio Pochettino said: “I know very well from Southampton and Tottenham that their record was amazing. I hope we can change this feeling for the fans in the future. It can be a philosophy of the club. I think always the record was fantastic and we again need to reinforce and energise the academy. First, because we believe in them and then because Chelsea was famous for bringing good players from the academy to first team. Today, I was asking … ‘If you are involved, what do you think?’ And their eyes [go] like this. Because they are 16, 17 … to have the possibility to be at Stamford Bridge in an official competition with the first-team. It’s an exciting moment for them and the families. I know what it means. But it’s good. It’s fantastic for us also to feel that energy … the young guys for the first time came with us yesterday and today, training with the first team and you can see the happiness.”
Pochettinto made his own debut in 1989, when Newell’s Old Boys faced local rival Rosario Central. He made quite the impression on the training ground.
Mauricio Pochettino added: “It remember like it was today. Jose Yudica was my manager. I was 17 years old and I was in training, playing 11 v 11. I kicked the captain of the first team, Gerardo Martino, who is now the coach of Inter Miami with David Beckham and Lionel Messi. I remember the captain and coach said, “What are you doing, child? You’re crazy!” They said to me, “Two metres! Two metres! You cannot be close. If not, you go home”. I said, “OK!” Then when we finished the training session, the coach called me and said, “You will be involved in the squad to play in the derby against Rosario Central”. I made my debut playing 15, 20 minutes. It was amazing. Then I was involved normally with the first team and started to play and play, play, play at 17 years old.”
While it would be understandable to be tenative when debuting in front of a racous crowd, feat is not something Pochettino felt.
Mauricio Pochettino added: “No, no, no. I was so brave! To kick the captain of the team? If you are not brave, you are not going to do this! I think the coach liked this type of situation and then the captain also! I think he said, “He’s 17 years old but he’s brave enough and I want him next to me, playing for me”.”
So, should Chelsea’s youngsters be kicking the senior captain to impress their head coach?
Mauricio Pochettino said: “Not with bad intention! You need to show your personality. If you don’t show your personality, even if you are 15, 16, 17, 20, you cannot play at the high level. It’s about character and personality and showing you can manage the pressure. You need to feel it and see it in the young guys, and then you are going to feel if they are ready or not. It’s not about performing well or not, it’s about showing personality and character. These things are more important than the quality. Of course, the quality is there if they are training with us and in Chelsea academy. We assume they have quality. But after, it is about mental quality. That is the most important at the high level.”
Raheem Sterling is a player who has already impressed this season, with Pochettino laying all credit at the former Manchester City and Liverpool star’s feet. His application has been evident during the Argentine’s time at the club, coming back from a season of disappointment, and summer that has seen big changes for the 28-year-old.
Mauricio Pochettino said: “He was really committed with everything and that is why today. It is not a coincidence. It is about him. He was open and let us train him. That is most important. That is why for me he deserves the credit because he was available to receive the method and philosophy we wanted to work and the proposal we made every single day. It is difficult in this moment to arrive and perform the way he has performed.”
Pochettino stopped short of saying Sterling should be in the England squad, having missed the last Three Lions group as he worked on his fitness. However, the Blues boss said that Sterling was more than ready for when the squad is announced on Thursday.
Mauricio Pochettino said: “I am not Gareth. I am not going to advise. I have nobody to advise him. I can explain: the national situation is always about form today, not yesterday or last season. If you are a coach, it is like me, I need to put the best player in for Saturday who performs today, not because of the performance last season. If you ask me about my player I will tell you he is ready to play for the national team because his performance in the first three games of the Premier League he was really, really good. And then it is a decision of Gareth and if Gareth call or not I am not going to say nothing. It is his job.”
