Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has mentioned Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino could possibly be in bother if his crew fail to beat Middlesbrough within the Carabao Cup semi-final.
Chelsea Have A Large Week Forward Of Them
The Blues haven’t had one of the best of seasons. Selecting up simply 31 factors from 21 Premier League video games, they discover themselves in ninth place within the Premier League standings. They’re trailing fourth-placed Aston Villa by a whopping 12 factors, making it unlikely for them to safe a berth in subsequent yr’s UEFA Champions League.
Whereas their top-four aspirants have just about evaporated, they nonetheless stand an opportunity to win not one however two home trophies. They’re within the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and the Fourth Spherical of the FA Cup, and have a terrific shot at profitable a home cup double on the finish of the season.
On Tuesday (January 23), the Pensioners will tackle Middlesbrough within the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals. They fell to an embarrassing 1-0 defeat to the Championship facet within the first leg and might want to overturn the deficit within the return leg at Stamford Bridge.
On Friday (January 26), they are going to meet Aston Villa within the FA Cup Fourth Spherical, and a win over Unai Emery’s facet would give Pochettino’s crew a large enhance.
Merson Claims Pochettino’s Future May Turn into Uncertain If They Fail To Beat Middlesbrough
Writing in his Sky Sports activities column, ex-Gunner Merson speculated Pochettino could possibly be in bother if his crew failed to beat the upcoming challenges.
“It is a huge week in Chelsea’s season, which might crumble in 4 days. In the event that they win their Carabao Cup semi-final towards Middlesbrough then beat Aston Villa, they’re knocking out an enormous crew from the FA Cup as effectively. Then whenever you’re a couple of factors off sixth place, rapidly it doesn’t look so unhealthy,” revealed Merson.
He added:
“However shedding to Middlesbrough could be a serious blow. Not going by means of over two legs towards a Championship crew? In a single-off video games you by no means know, you may lose one-off video games. However over two video games…
“Chelsea may nonetheless squeeze within the prime six, you by no means know. However what a chance to get to the Carabao Cup last taking part in towards a Championship crew within the semi-final. It’s the primary trophy to be gained, plenty of groups would like to be there and are wishing they have been there.”
Merson concluded by writing:
“If Chelsea don’t undergo to the ultimate on Tuesday evening, I can’t see them beating Aston Villa on Friday evening, so it’s an enormous few days for them.
“In the event that they did lose to Middlesbrough, the place would it not depart Mauricio Pochettino? It’s a long-term challenge at Chelsea, you don’t purchase gamers and put them on seven or eight-year contracts and begin altering the supervisor each six months.”
The previous Tottenham Hotspur boss has managed Chelsea in 27 official matches up to now, overseeing 14 wins, 4 attracts, and 9 defeats.
