Mauricio Pochettino has just two matches to prepare his young Chelsea team for that mammoth Carabao Cup final with Liverpool in just over two weeks’ time at Wembley
Wednesday evening at Villa Park felt big for a number of reasons. Chelsea were of course in desperate need for a statement performance – and result – and they delivered that on the night.
Mauricio Pochettino had been under huge pressure in the build-up to the game, so the Argentine needed that win more than anyone. But this game felt big for another reason, too, and that was because it was a taste of what life would be like when Thiago Silva does eventually leave the club.
The 39-year-old defender sees his contract at Stamford Bridge reach its conclusion in the summer and there is growing speculation that he could leave Chelsea. Pochettino is unsure what the future holds for Silva and whether he will be with the club next season or not, but Wednesday was the perfect opportunity to see a Blues defence without the Brazilian.
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BY BOBBY VINCENT
06:00, 10 FEB 2024
Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
Wednesday evening at Villa Park felt big for a number of reasons. Chelsea were of course in desperate need for a statement performance – and result – and they delivered that on the night.
Mauricio Pochettino had been under huge pressure in the build-up to the game, so the Argentine needed that win more than anyone. But this game felt big for another reason, too, and that was because it was a taste of what life would be like when Thiago Silva does eventually leave the club.
The 39-year-old defender sees his contract at Stamford Bridge reach its conclusion in the summer and there is growing speculation that he could leave Chelsea. Pochettino is unsure what the future holds for Silva and whether he will be with the club next season or not, but Wednesday was the perfect opportunity to see a Blues defence without the Brazilian.
Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile were at the heart of the back four for the visitors in the Midlands and both performed excellently in Silva’s absence. However, Badiashile picked up a groin problem late on in the FA Cup game and is being assessed, while the club wait for the scan results.
The very fact that he has needed a scan, though, points to him being out for the trip to Crystal Palace on Monday evening. Fortunately for Pochettino, Levi Colwill is nearing a return to action, although he will be assessed at the weekend to see if he is ready to feature at Selhurst Park
With Ben Chilwell fit and firing at the moment, there could be a chance for Colwill to be played in a central position. The 20-year-old defender has been used at left-back for the majority of the campaign thus far with Chilwell struggling with injury problems and Marc Cucurella a long-term absentee.
