Mauricio Pochettino denied claims that his Chelsea side lacked desire in the wake of their 5-0 loss to Arsenal, saying instead that he and his players must prove their value to the team in the closing weeks of a difficult season.
The Premier League leaders’ thrashing of Chelsea on Tuesday was their worst in over five years. It happened only days after Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester City, which left them facing their third consecutive season without winning any significant domestic or international titles.
While they still have the chance to qualify for the Conference League or Europa League next season, Pochettino must manage an emotionally battered team that some, especially in the north London away section, have called unworthy of their fight following their defeat at the Emirates Stadium.
In relation to his players’ prospects at Stamford Bridge, the Argentinean hinted that a pivotal month is ahead for both of them.
“It looks like only I need to prove (myself), no?” he said. “Always it’s about the coach needs to prove he deserves to be here next season.
“We are all responsible for the situation. We need all to prove that we deserve to be here next season.”
