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7 months ago
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Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has vowed to restrain his post-match remarks after blasting his players in the wake of their 2-2 draw at Sheffield United last weekend.
Pochettino questioned his side's maturity and competitive spirit after the relegation-threatened Blades forced an equaliser deep in added time.
'As a 52‑year‑old, you identify very quickly when a team is ready to compete or not,' the Argentinian said at Bramall Lane.
'Maybe because this group is still not mature enough to compete every single game, every three days. For different reasons we are struggling to compete in these type of games (against lesser teams).'
But at Friday's press conference ahead of Monday evening's home game against Everton - another side at the wrong end of the table - Pochettino explained that he now feels it can work against his team if he expresses his frustrations.
Mauricio Pochettino admitted that he needed to be 'more cautious' with his choice of words after the final whistle and focus on building up players
Chelsea let their slender lead slip away against Sheffield United on Sunday and were held to a 2-2 draw on the road
Oli McBurnie equalised three minuted into extra-time to send Chelsea home with one point
'I need to be more cautious with my words after the game,' he said. 'It is a fact that we have a young squad but I think also I need to adapt to a different message.
'The message is to try to improve this week. I think we were working really hard to try to improve in all the areas. We were talking a lot but I think we need to be more positive.
'Of course we need to accept that (the youth of the squad) is a reality, but sometimes (I need) to keep my feelings and be more positive, because we have a really good squad.
'We need to support them and work really hard to help them perform better in the next game. I am happy in the way they were training this week.'
Noni Madueke (left) had handed his side the lead with a bulleted strike in the 66th minute
The Blues will look to bounce back from disappointment on Monday against Everton at home
And he agreed that immediately after a game may not be the best time to analyse a performance.
'We are winners and we want to win,' he said. 'We came here accepting pressure but also knowing that Chelsea's history is to win. Sometimes after 90 minutes when you don't win or you draw like against Sheffield, you feel really disappointed and very frustrated and then you have to face you (media) and be calm.
'But I think there is still many things to play (for) and we need to be positive and think positive. I want to stop talking about negative things. We need to be positive and create a good atmosphere.'
Ben Chilwell is back in training ahead of the Everton match, but Enzo Fernandez and Raheem Sterling are doubts.
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