Newly appointed Mauricio Pochettino expects the rest period to have done Enzo Fernández good. The Chelsea manager realizes that not only his younger compatriot, acquired for 121 million euros, has not yet lived up to expectations at Stamford Bridge. Many other purchases can also have a few missteps.
Fresh start at Chelsea: Pochettino challenges big purchases
In the first season after the takeover by American Todd Boehly, Chelsea dug deep into their pockets. Not only for brand new world champion Fernández, but also for Wesley Fofana (80.4 million), Mykhailo Mudryk (70 million), Marc Cucurella (65.3 million) and Raheem Sterling (56.2 million), among others. They are all disappointed for various reasons. In any case, it was a season to quickly forget for Chelsea, who only finished twelfth and therefore did not even come close to qualifying for European football.
Pochettino was asked about his dealings with the aforementioned players during one of his first press moments as Chelsea manager. How much credit do they earn? The former coach of Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain emphasized that the many changes at Chelsea did not help the purchases to settle quickly.
Time for a fresh start
“This is the time for a fresh start. We have to create an environment for them in which they feel comfortable, in which they feel the space to perform and improve. They all joined the club when conditions were tough. We have to give them the chance to deal with the pressures of playing for Chelsea. It is not only my responsibility to feel how everyone feels, it is also up to the players to adapt and have intrinsic motivation,” said Pochettino.
Fernández has been able to catch his breath after a more than special period. He developed stormy at Benfica in his first six months in Europe and became an important link in Argentina’s golden team that won the world title. Less than two months after winning the world title, the 22-year-old midfielder was already the record signing of Chelsea. It is precisely because Fernández’s development has been so rapid that his compatriot deserves some compassion, Pochettino explained. “He has hardly had a rest in a year and a half. It was play, play and more play. He is young and energetic, but young players also need rest and the chance to clear their heads. He now knows London better and communication is also smoother. We’re going to help him,” he concludes.
