Mauricio Pochettino praises Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson for being ‘smart’ and learning from their mistakes after Chelsea duo shine in West Ham rout
Mauricio Pochettino praised his ‘intelligent’ Chelsea team for learning from past mistakes in their thrashing of West Ham.
The Blues put five goals past David Moyes’ side at Stamford Bridge, but Pochettino was particularly pleased with the fourth, in which Noni Madueke unselfishly set up teammate Nicolas Jackson for a tap-in.
Madeuke and Jackson were involved in a heated argument during Chelsea’s 6-0 win over Everton last month, with both players attempting to take a penalty in place of designated taker Cole Palmer.
Both were heavily criticized for their antics, but Pochettino insisted Sunday’s performances showed his young team has matured.
“Noni’s assist to Jackson showed that we are learning, that we are smart,” Pochettino said.
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino praised his players for learning from past mistakes
Noni Madueke unselfishly set up teammate Nicolas Jackson for Chelsea’s fourth goal
Chelsea duo Madueke and Jackson bickered over a penalty against Everton last month
“The situation with the penalty, if you remember we received a lot of criticism against Everton, but a young team always has to make mistakes, we have to feel this situation to improve.
‘We can improve it because we are smart and intelligent people. I think it was a great move from Noni today to see how the group starts to live and feel among them.
‘This is always a process that takes time. You never know if it will take a month, six months or a year. The most important thing is that they determine the principles, feel and live as a group of players who create all the links to compete.
‘That’s the reality. I’m so happy about that, because we [the staff] are part of this process and help them grow and mature and improve all aspects.
‘I think this is just the first step, a huge step, but it is a step we wanted to achieve. From there we can evolve in all other aspects.
‘Without principles, without things that we are going to show in a competitive way, it is impossible to develop other aspects.’
Moyes, meanwhile, questioned the mental toughness of his players after conceding five goals in successive away games.
“It’s happened several times this season and I certainly haven’t enjoyed it,” Moyes said.
Pochettino stressed that Sunday’s performance showed that his young team has matured
The Blues scored five goals past David Moyes’ team at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon
Noni Madueke scored Chelsea’s third goal – his eighth in all competitions this season
‘Players are not in their position, get out of position and open up too easily.
‘We lacked toughness, leadership and mental toughness. We have now had two away games in which we conceded five.
‘The manager will always take responsibility because that’s what you do in this job, you have to prepare them and get them right, set them up.
‘Somewhere the players have to take responsibility to do their job, be difficult to play against, be aggressive and competitive. I wonder if we all were in the first half.’