Chelsea finally converted a good performance into goals in their 6-1 thrashing of Middlesbrough on Tuesday night and head coach Mauricio Pochettino is hoping they can replicate that on a regular basis.
The Blues overturned a 1-0 deficit to the Championship side with an impressive second leg display at Stamford Bridge to advance to an EFL Cup final date with Liverpool.
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Pochettino hinted that result was long overdue and is calling for his side to stay on the goal trail when Aston Villa visit the Bridge in the FA Cup fourth round tomorrow night.
He said: “Before the Middlesbrough game it was all negative but when you score goals it changes.
“For us the most important thing is that we need to be realistic. We aren’t going to change the way we assess the team and the plan for the future but we are happy.
“Performance is one thing and the result is different. There are things we want to control better but we are a team that is growing.
“In this moment we have to learn together and scoring six goals is great for confidence. We need to think that every time we have the ball we can score, or try to score.
“Performances have been good since the start of the season but now, if we score goals, I think we win the games that we didn’t before.”
Cole Palmer continued his impressive start to life at Chelsea with two goals against Middlesbrough.
Pochettino added: “We are always optimistic when you sign a player but it’s true he is doing fantastic.
“He is doing a very good job and we’re happy with the impact and how he performs. You always expect this when you sign a player.
“The way he performs is fantastic because he is helping the team to reach things we want.”
Intelligence. ✔️ Technique. ✔️ Flair. ✔️
That’s Cole! ????#CFC | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/MOEOYZQk40
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 24, 2024
In a further boost for the Argentine, England international Ben Chilwell returned to the starting line-up in midweek after four months on the sidelines due to injury.
While delighted to see him back, Pochettino was cautious about the left-back’s chances of featuring against Villa.
He added: “If he is fit and can cope with 90 minutes then it’s great, he couldn’t do that on Tuesday. We have doubt for tomorrow because it’s hard to play again after three days. We want to build his confidence.
“It’s not a mental problem. It’s not only convincing him to trust his body. It’s to trust us and the way we work but he’s always very optimistic.
“We need to be careful. The player always wants to play.”
Villa have had an impressive season and sit fourth in the Premier League table, although Pochettino is not surprised given the calibre of their manager Unai Emery.
“I think Unai Emery is one of the best coaches in the world,” he said.
“He is creating and building a very good organisation at Aston Villa. They have amazing players.
“I’m so happy for him and the people involved in this project.”
