Mauricio Pochettino tells Chelsea to be more aggressive ahead of Carabao Cup semi-final but stats tell different story

MAURICIO POCHETTINO has told his players to toughen up to become winners.

Chelsea’s boss admits his young team lacks aggression as he tries to build a new trophy-winning dynasty.

RexMauricio Pochettino wants Cole Palmer & Co to toughen up[/caption]

Blues visit Middlesbrough tonight for the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, three days after Poch rapped them for being too soft in the FA Cup against Championship Preston.

He said: “The most important thing is to not only say or think we are going to win it but to show it through actions and performance.

“It is important to be aggressive when we can be aggressive.

“When you have a young team in your hands, sometimes a first half like Preston is to be used and to realise that it is about keeping  possession and being aggressive with it when you arrive in the box.

“But sometimes we are confused and we were talking  about what we need to improve on if we want to be a more consistent team this season.”

Pochettino is 180 minutes from reaching a Wembley final in his first season as Chelsea head coach – but it took his £1billion squad almost an hour to break down  Preston on Saturday.

The Blues eventually swept aside North End with four goals in 27 minutes. 

But they face a tougher fight this evening with no VAR to scrutinise decisions.

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A meeting was called before training yesterday in which Pochettino ironed out his demands.

He said: “I told the players if you think we are going to win then in the first few minutes you need to show it and we didn’t show.

“We weren’t aggressive enough, then we lost the ball in one action and conceded a chance.

“We need to match their desire and energy. It is going to be tough.

“Watching the game against Aston Villa, Middlesbrough lost but could have won the game. It’s a good team with good ideas.”

Chelsea have certainly shown some aggression in the Premier League, as they are top for most cards shown this season.

Stamford Bridge chief Poch is taking inspiration from managerial titan and current Real Madrid gaffer Carlo Ancelotti for mixing his Mr Nice Guy personality with being a demanding boss.

Pochettino said: “How you are as a coach is what matters.

“You translate your stamina, you are aggressive during training sessions. Aggressive in the way you approach players in the meetings.

“Carlo Ancelotti said clubs pay him to take decisions as a coach. But when the players become upset it is with the coach not with Carlo. He has to be tough because he wants to win.”