Pochettino Says Chelsea Need Negative Results To Develop

Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino. Photo : X/@ChelseaFC

JAKARTA Despite being disappointed by the defeat to Manchester City, Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino admitted that his youth squad needed negative results and experiences to continue to develop in the future.

The Blues were forced to admit the resilience of The Citizen 0-1 in the FA Cup semifinals, Saturday night WIB. This result forced Pochettino to swallow the bitter pill at Wembley Stadium in less than two months, after Liverpool's previous defeat in the English League Cup final.

The Argentine said Chelsea's young squad had to take lessons from the match against City. Especially how they have to be sharp and clinical in front of the opponent's goal. While Man City created many chances, the chances Chelsea wasted proved detrimental, and Pochettino did not hesitate to admit that his team had to develop in the final third of the pitch.

"In football, the most important thing is to appear clinical and not concede. We compete well, I can't say we are a better team because it is difficult to measure in football," Pochettino was quoted as saying by Football London.

The most important thing is that we compete. Competing in this way, we need to take the positive side of this match. A group of players like this requires a moment (excession) like this in a match.

"Now is the time to take positive things and try to build the things we need, the areas we need to improve on. Now is the time to finish the season in the best way and then talk about how we can get better in the future," continued Pochettino.

Chelsea may not long lament the defeat of City. This is because they have been waiting for the London derby against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday morning WIB in the Premier League. Victory over the Gunners will certainly open up opportunities for Mauricio Pochettino's troops to compete in the European arena next season.