Pundit Gary Neville has claimed that Mauricio Pochettino has got his Chelsea side doing something they are simply not capable of right now.
He claimed during his coverage for Sky Sports that the doesn’t believe the current available goalkeeper and centre-backs are able to play out from the back with their goal kicks.
Pochettino started a back two tonight against Newcastle that have never featured as a duo together for Chelsea.
Trevoh Chalobah made just his second start of the season alongside Axel Disasi, who has been one of the only players available for the entire campaign for the Blues.
There is an obvious lack of experience working together there, and this won’t have been assisted too much by the fact that Marc Cucurella was making his first appearance of 2024 too.
In just the opening minutes of the game, Djorjde Petrovic was forced to give away a throw in right in his own corner after a goal kick routine put them under real pressure.
Neville questions Pochettino tactic
Neville has now claimed the idea of playing out the back is simply not possible with the players at the manager’s disposal right now.
MORE CHELSEA STORIES
He said: “You watch some teams do that goal kick where the centre-back passes to the goalkeeper and they’re full of confidence, but you’ve got a Chelsea back four which are changing at best, and you’re asking them to do something they’re not even capable of.”
Later in the first half, he added: “This is actually my main worry for Chelsea. These six-yard goal kicks.”
The Blues made the perfect start to the game not long after when a clever flick from Nicolas Jackson diverted a Cole Palmer shot goalwards to give them the lead.
The Senegal international quickly made it three goals in as many games for the club with the deft touch, and gave his side the best possible start to the return of Premier League football at Stamford Bridge.
