Mauricio Pochettino has claimed that his comments after Chelsea’s 4-2 defeat to Wolves had been taken out of context.
Following the defeat at Stamford Bridge Pochettino claimed that his side were not good enough in the game, having been roundly beaten – and leap-frogged – by Gary O’Neil’s side.
‘The question came in a previous press conference about whether the players are good enough for top four or top six,’ the Argentine told the media at Tuesday’s pre-FA Cup press conference.
I said “today after the game we were not good enough” and the story said “Pochettino says the players are not good enough” What? No. It’s not to take out of context.
‘Today or in that game we were not good enough but you have to be careful to take my words. They take advantage of an opportunity to say things.
‘It’s true we played well in the game we played at Stamford Bridge [vs Villa],’ he said. ‘In football it is like this, we cannot change the past, only we can affect the future.
‘We told the players to be ready. We need to assess our players and until tomorrow I do not want to decide the team because it is about assessing.’
‘That upset me. But it’s part of this position. The most difficult part is to explain to my wife who says: “Why do you say this, you told me he was a champion!”‘
Chelsea have fallen now as low as 11th in the Premier League table, but will have break from their top-flight foes.
On Wednesday night they travel to Villa Park for a clash with Aston Villa in their FA Cup fourth round replay clash with Unai Emery’s side.
The Blues boss thought his side had acquitted themselves well in the first meeting, but hinted that he was unable to decide on a team with so many players still being assessed ahead of the game.
