Mauricio Pochettino has now given his response to what pundit Gary Neville said after Chelsea’s defeat in the EFL Cup final yesterday.
He told BBC Sport that he respect’s the former Manchester United man’s opinion, however believes some of his comments can be described as unfair.
Pochettino saw another chance go begging to win his first trophy in English football yesterday, however this one will sting a lot.
The Blues missed a heap of chances, with the likes of Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher missing big opportunities.
Neville certainly enjoyed his time commentating on the game, especially when Virgil van Dijk headed home with minutes of extra-time to go. He described the Blues as ‘Billion-Pound Bottlejobs’.
Pochettino was asked after the game his take on the harsh nickname given to his side.
He said: “I didn’t hear what he said, but if you compare the age of the two groups, I think they are similar. But look, I have a good relationship with Gary, I don’t know how I can take his opinion, but I respect his opinion.
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“We are a young team, and nothing to compare with Liverpool because they finished with also a few young players, I think it’s impossible to compare and he knows.
“He knows that the dynamics are completely different. We were playing today Chelsea and Liverpool, and I think it’s not fair to talk in this way if he said that. But I think we are going to keep strong and believe.”
Pundits will struggle to look past the money spent by the Blues on their side, however should remember that those who are on the pitch are extremely young too.
Levi Colwill, one of Chelsea’s best performers yesterday, was 20 years old during this game, with Malo Gusto, Palmer and co all extremely early into their professional careers.
