Mauricio Pochettino was very excited when Chelsea secured their place in the FA Cup semi-final after beating Leicester City 4-2. The Blues will face Manchester City in the next round at Wembley.
Coming into this game after two successive league losses, there would surely be a lot riding on manager Mauricio Pochettino’s head as Chelsea gear up to face Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United at home on Saturday. Wilder replaced Paul Heckingbottom only two weeks ago, and in the two games since then, the Blades have won one against Brentford and lost to Liverpool, both at home.
Even in their loss against Jurgen Klopp’s side, Sheffield were not easy to break down, leaving Liverpool’s attackers feeling frustrated. On paper, Chelsea are by far the better side, but football is played on grass and Chelsea have not been at their best.
We saw against Everton as well, the fact that Sean Dyche’s side caught the Blues on the counter multiple times, and uncharacteristically, created a lot of chances even with less than half the possession Chelsea had. We need to attack from the get-go and kill any momentum Sheffield could generate. However, going by our current form, not many bet on Chelsea finishing this game with three points in the kitty.
Among those sits former West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp. The Premier League great feels Chelsea is not likely to win the game, and predicts a 1-1 draw between the sides at Stamford Bridge. Cole Palmer is who he names as a player who could stand out as a differentiating factor between the Blades and the Blues. Speaking to football.london on the potential outcome of the match, here is what Redknapp had to say:
“That’s now two defeats in a row for Chelsea and well, they weren’t good in either game. Poch is bound to be feeling the pressure. I read that he was wanting a few more signings in January, the last thing this squad needs is more players!”
“What a start for Chris Wilder last week. He had a fantastic home record when he was there the first time, but he’ll need to improve their form on the road if they’ve got any chance of staying up.”
“Chelsea often struggle against sides that sit in and make things difficult for them. I can see Sheffield United getting a draw here.”
“One to watch- Sheffield United will try and frustrate them here, they’ll look to Cole Palmer to give them the quality to break them down.“
In assessing Chelsea’s recent performances, Redknapp rightly expresses concern over Pochettino‘s mounting pressure and the desire for January signings. He cautions against adding more players to an already talented and oversized squad, highlighting the need for cohesion over quantity.
Wilder’s return to Sheffield United has ignited hope, and Chelsea must be wary of facing a team intent on frustrating their attacking prowess. The spotlight is on Cole Palmer, identified by Redknapp as the player capable of unlocking Sheffield’s defensive strategy.
As Chelsea navigates this challenging period, the clash against Sheffield United represents an opportunity for redemption. The Blades, when it comes to the broader picture, have not been in great form in the league and are sitting at the bottom of the table. It will surely raise huge questions if a Chelsea team half as talented as ours fails to get all three points at home against a side that sees itself battling relegation and a managerial change.
The unpredictability of football adds an element of excitement, and Chelsea fans will be hoping for a turnaround that puts an end to the recent slump.
The battle against Sheffield United is surely not just about three points; it’s a test of character and a chance for Poch’s boys to reassert their dominance in the Premier League; something we haven’t seen in the recent past. The Blues must certainly seize this moment and prove that they are a force to be reckoned with, irrespective of recent setbacks.
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