John Terry backs ‘great manager’ Mauricio Pochettino to turn things around at Chelsea… but admits the Blues are ‘a long way off Manchester City and Liverpool’
- John Terry says Chelsea are ‘a long way from Man City and Liverpool’
- But Terry says Mauricio Pochettino is a ‘great manager’ who can turn the tide
- Football is changing… managers cannot rely on their reputations. Just look at the Golden Generation – It all starts
John Terry says Chelsea are ‘a long way from Manchester City and Liverpool’ but insists Mauricio Pochettino is a ‘great manager’ who ‘needs time’ to transform the club.
Pochettino’s side have had a largely disappointing season so far. They have drawn eight times, drawn four times and won nine of their first 21 Premier League matches.
As a result, Chelsea sit in ninth place, despite spending a world record £448.5 million on players during the summer transfer window under their new owner.
Terry says Chelsea are still a long way from challenging for the title but is confident Pochettino has what it takes to turn the team around after watching him ‘work every day’.
Speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai this week, where he received the Player Career Award, Terry said: ‘Unfortunately Chelsea are a bit wrong at the moment.
John Terry says Chelsea are ‘a long way from Manchester City and Liverpool’ but insists Mauricio Pochettino is a ‘great manager’ who ‘needs time’ to transform the club
Pochettino’s side have had a largely disappointing 2023-2024 season so far, winning eight draws, four draws and nine of their opening 21 Premier League games.
‘But given the time, the manager needs time. Poch is a great manager, I have seen him work every day.
‘We are also a young group of players, but we are far away from the likes of Man City and Liverpool at the moment.’
Terry went on to discuss Manchester City, saying: ‘You know what? I think we see cycles. I think when I look back on 10, 15 years ago.
‘Man United dominated the Premier League. Chelsea come over, we dominated for a while. Now Pep and Man City dominate.
Liverpool currently sit at the top of the Premier League, with Man City close behind
“I’ve been saying it for a while, it’s going to be hard to get them.
“They are the best team, they have some great individual players, and the way they are doing year after year is unbelievable.”
The former Chelsea captain finished by saying: ‘I’ve managed to win the Premier League twice, it’s very difficult to do. I wish them the best, they’re a fantastic team.’
