MAURICIO Pochettino believes the hard work is finally beginning to pay off for his young Chelsea squad after a bumpy start to the season.
Expectation levels were high going into the campaign following Pochettino’s appointment and another huge summer transfer splurge, although early results didn’t always reflect some decent performances.
An injury crisis didn’t help matters either, but three consecutive victories before the current international break is perhaps a sign things have turned for the better according to the manager.
Pochettino told Chelsea TV: “It is very good for us to build our belief and keep working. It confirms we are in a very good way to build our confidence and build our trust in the way we are working.
“It is really important for our players and for our fans also.
“There is a lot of work to do but I think the three games and victories were really important for us.
“The fans are a key point for us and for the club – I think they are so important for the team.
“For the players, to feel the support is unbelievable.
“Even when we lose, the support was there, and also the critics because the fans have the passion and they showed their emotions.
“It is good to know our fans are there for us, care for us and of course feel a lot.”
Next up on Saturday week are Arsenal with a visit to Pochettino’s old club Spurs and a home date against treble winners Manchester City on the horizon before the next international break.
And the Argentine is calling on the fans to keep the momentum and positive energy going in the stands.
“We are coming unto some very good games next month at Stamford Bridge and we need their support to get the results that we deserve,” the Blues boss said.
“The team is doing really well. We don’t concede too many goals, we’ve started to score goals.
“In the midfield area it has started to connect and to create a good link.
“Cole Palmer is also a good player that links all the team-mates.
“We are giving him a starting position on the right but we give him the freedom to play between the lines because he’s ready to read what the team needs and to be unpredictable.
“Football is a game that is unpredictable and he has the capacity to be like this.”
That unpredictability struck last night when Palmer suffered an injury for England U21s last night.
The youngster now faces an anxious wait to see how serious the problem is.
Pochettino, meanwhile, says he is thriving getting to know all his new players, many of whom like Palmer have youth on their side.
“The challenge is always there because always it takes a lot to build a team,” he said.
“It is a young squad. I think it is a team that they need to know each other and only with time and the training sessions we can provide the team with what the team needs.
“That is why it is only a matter of time.
“No doubt we need to be calm in the way that we judge players and the team. We are growing and very good things are coming.
“You can feel that even if sometimes we have some ups and downs, but in the end we will succeed together.”
