REVEALED: Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea are conceding MORE goals – and losing just as much – than under Graham Potter before he was sacked by the Blues
- Chelsea’s difficult season continued with a dismal 4-2 home defeat to Wolves
- Statistics show that Mauricio Pochettino’s side have failed to improve on Potter’s reign
- Chelsea are a mess and it’s hard to find the answers… but they need to keep the faith and stay patient. It all starts podcast
Mauricio Pochettino is approaching a crucial – and dangerous point – in his Chelsea tenure. The Argentine has reached 31 games, exactly the same mark as Graham Potter when he was given his marching orders last year.
After a humiliating 4-2 home defeat to Wolves this weekend, it may not be long before captain Pochettino is also on the board. It was a damaging week for the Blues as they scored four goals in consecutive games following a 4-1 defeat away at Liverpool.
When Potter was sacked last April, he too had suffered a dismal home defeat – a 2-0 loss to Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge – before being replaced by Frank Lampard for the rest of the season.
But after 31 games each, the signs don’t look good for Pochettino. As someone who owner Todd Boehly was hoping would come in and shake up this Chelsea team, things hardly seem to have improved.
Stats from Opta show that Potter – who played just 22 Premier League games compared to Pochettino’s 23 – won fewer games in all competitions after 31 matches (12) than Pochettino (14), with the Argentine having a superior win percentage of 45 .2 percent had. to Potter’s 38.7 percent.
Chelsea’s problems this season show no signs of letting up after a 4-2 home loss to Wolves
The Blues have failed to build on last season since Mauricio Pochettino took charge of the club
Potter’s side also played more games (eight) than Pochettino (six), but both lost 11 games at the same stage.
Pochettino’s current side has also outscored Potter’s over 31 games, with 54 goals compared to his 33.
But while Chelsea may be a better attacking team under Pochettino, they have become much worse defensively, which is a major concern.
The current team has scored 43 goals in all competitions, including 39 in the Premier League. By comparison, Everton were in danger of relegation and only let in 30 goals. In his 31 games, Potter’s Chelsea scored just 31 goals.
And that increased defensive sloppiness this season is well represented with 368 shots faced up on the 336 from the same stage under Potter, whose allowed XG was 3.7.7 compared to Pochettino’s 41.
Chelsea were dismal last season under Graham Potter, but statistics show that his Chelsea were stronger defensively than Pochettino’s.
Indeed, the figures will not be pleasant for Chelsea’s hierarchy, especially after an eye-watering £400m expenditure in building a squad for the ex-Tottenham boss.
Mail Sport reported this week that Pochettino was in no immediate danger of being sacked, despite Chelsea’s poor results leaving them 11th in the table.
However, if Chelsea were to consider a change of manager, the board would be forced to part with around £10m – including sacking its entire coaching staff – putting them at risk of breaching Premier League spending rules.
Pochettino could yet win a trophy this season after leading the side to the Carabao Cup final – to be played against Liverpool on February 25 – which would also guarantee them Europa League football.
However, Chelsea face a tough month ahead with an FA Cup replay against Aston Villa next, followed by a visit to Crystal Palace, a visit to Premier League champions Man City – before their showpiece match against the Reds.
Chelsea have conceded 43 goals in 31 games this season, while Potter’s side have conceded just 31.
Pochettino’s words after their latest defeat at home to Wolves were telling as he admitted he ‘never’ thought managing the Blues would be so tough.
“We knew it would be tough this year, but never this tough,” Pochettino said. ‘Due to all the circumstances (injuries and suspensions) the situation is only getting worse.
“We have left too many key players out and there are too many circumstances at the start of the season that are beyond our control. But at the same time it is a nice challenge.
“We are so far away (from our goals). To be honest, our goal was to be at the top. We are Chelsea and with our history and everything it requires us to be close to the top. But right now we have to be realistic. “We have to compete better if we want to win more games.”