Mauricio Pochettino must be given TIME to turn Chelsea around, says CHRIS SUTTON on Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off’ with the goal-shy Blues sat 14th in the Premier League after a dismal start to the season

• Chelsea have lost three of their opening six games under Mauricio Pochettino
• Chris Sutton believes Pochettino deserves time to get things right at Chelsea
• Mail Sport’s new WhatsApp Channel: Get the breaking news and exclusives here

Chris Sutton has urged Chelsea to give Mauricio Pochettino time to turn their fortunes around after a disappointing start to the season.

Pochettino arrived at the club this summer following their dire 2022-23 campaign that saw Chelsea finish down in 12th place.

He has been unable to inspire an upturn in form thus far, with the Blues losing three of their first six games, leaving them 14th in the table.

They were beaten again at home to Aston Villa on Sunday, failing to score for the 13th time in a league game in 2023, and some fans took to social media afterwards to label the team’s current predicament ‘unacceptable’.

The pressure is ramping up on Pochettino already, but Sutton believes Chelsea should hold their nerve and give him the opportunity to get the side back on the right track.

Mauricio Pochettino has lost three of his first six games at Chelsea, and is under pressure

Chris Sutton wants Pochettino to be given time to turn things around at Chelsea

‘Did we expect more from Pochettino and his team? Yeah, I think we did. Did he have a lot to contend with? Absolutely,’ Sutton said on Mail Sport’s ‘It’s All Kicking Off’ podcast, as he discussed Chelsea’s issues with host Ian Ladyman.

‘There comes a time when he starts needing to get results, but with saying that, it’s not Abramovich who’s the owner where there’s the possibility, if he was the owner, of Pochettino being sacked. 

‘This is six games and Graham Potter had seven months. I was with you on Graham Potter and I’m pretty consistent with my view on managers and getting long enough time to develop a team, and getting a couple of transfer windows in. It doesn’t change for Pochettino. 

‘He does need time, but he does need results. His biggest issue, I suspect, will be the Chelsea supporters and them getting on his back. If there’s 100 Chelsea supporters banging on the door outside the ground then it’s not an issue. If there’s 5,000 wanting him out, then it is.’

Ladyman agreed with Sutton’s view, but admitted the numbers do not make for great reading, with Chelsea having only won two league games since sacking Potter almost six months ago. 

Sutton wants to see Pochettino get his chance to shine at Stamford Bridge, but acknowledged there are early concerns that he is not getting enough out of his current crop of players.

‘The most telling stat about Pochettino that he does have to answer to is in his team selection in the Premier League this season. He’s had eight players who have started those six Premier League games, eight regulars,’ Sutton explained.

Enzo Fernandez is one of Chelsea’s regular starters, but the team are still struggling to gel as a unit

‘Would it be reasonable for Chelsea fans to expect the team to be playing better and finding their rhythm? I would think so. There’s been the odd injury, but I looked at this last night. I thought Chelsea might have chopped and changed too much their starting XI which always gives the manager an “out”. That’s not been the case. 

‘So you look at the team and you think “this is one hell of an expensive development team”, and that’s what Chelsea are. They’re trying to contend with other big clubs at the top of the Premier League table and they are a development team essentially, with Thiago Silva, who’s still playing pretty well for an ageing player.’

The west London outfit already find themselves 13 points behind leaders Manchester City and nine points outside the top four, but Sutton feels there is still time for them to change their luck and have a positive season. 

‘It’s about finding a way, but (from) my playing experience, it can turn in one game, one moment,’ Sutton added. ‘They’ve got some tough games coming up but I wouldn’t totally write Chelsea off.’ 

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