Chelsea fans rage at Mauricio Pochettino after ‘terrible’ tactical tweak during Crystal Palace clash
CHELSEA fans slammed Mauricio Pochettino for a “terrible” tactical change against Crystal Palace.
A well-taken goal from one-time Blues transfer target Michael Olise cancelled out Mykhailo Mudryk’s opener at Stamford Bridge.
ReutersChelsea fans slammed Mauricio Pochettino’s substitutions but Noni Madueke came off the bench to win the match[/caption]
And with Chelsea in search for a second-half winner Pochettino made the bold choice to take off attacker Christopher Nkunku.
That confused some fans, who were also upset the Argentine replaced left-back Levi Colwill with Thiago Silva, who moved into central defence.
That meant right-back Malo Gusto switched flanks, with some Chelsea supporters suggesting Ian Maatsen would have been a better option at left-back.
Maatsen was taken off for Romeo Lavia instead and Benoit Badisahile operated in an unfamiliar role at right-back.
Chelsea fans fumed with Pochettino with one saying: “The changes Poch made have been terrible.
“Keep Nkunku in the middle and sub on Madueke. Should have sent Maatsen to left-back and kept Gusto at right-back. Has to be sacked if Chelsea lose.”
Another added: “Colwill hooked at 50 minutes again after another dreadful left-back performance thanks to Poch. Then instead of moving left-back Maatsen there, he also takes him off and then moves right-back Gusto to left-back. Poch. Is. Clueless.”
A third wrote: “Instead of having Gusto & Maatsen on the flanks. We now have zero width on the right & a wrong footed player on the Left. Poch is clueless.”
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And another commented: “Poch is clueless.”
However Pochettino’s changes were vindicated as substitute Noni Madueke, who replaced Nkunku, won and converted a late penalty to win the match 2-1.
Some Blues fans are already thinking about who could replace Pochettino.
One fan eyed another Premier League boss saying: “When Chelsea eventually sack Poch they should swipe up Gary O’Neil.”
