Sports

8-years contract doesn’t mean you’ll play — Pochettino warns

Published

1 year ago

August 19, 2023

I am not in Chelsea to play nice guy -- Pochettino warns

Chelsea boss, Mauricio Pochettino has warned the Blues’ new signings not to indulge in the fantasies of an 8-year contract guarantying a first team start despite arriving on big transfers.

The West-London side has faced quite the media spotlight following the signing of players on ridiculous contracts spanning lengthy years at Stamford Bridge.

Though this move is a way to beat the Financial Fair Play rules and regulations, but for the former Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur boss, it plays little role in his selection.

Following the 1-1 stalemate against Liverpool in both teams’ opening weekend, Chelsea have brought in big signings like Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia into its ranks.

Caicedo cost Chelsea a British record fee of £115m, while they agreed a £53m plus £5m deal with Southampton for Lavia.

But to Pochettino, none of that matters when it comes to the match-day squad.

According to him, the players need to show everyday that they deserve to play.

The Argentine in his press conference was quoted saying;

“It’s not that (if) we sign a player and we spend big money, that they are sure to play. I don’t tell Moises Caicedo or Romeo Lavia ‘you are going to play, (whether) you are good or bad’. It’s not like this, football.

“Talented players, players that the club spends money on, they need to show every day that they deserve to play.

“My job is to be fair with everyone in the squad. You sign a player on an eight-year contract and after (that) he doesn’t run, is not involved, no commitment – is he going to play? That is our job. It’s our judgement,” he told reporters.