Chelsea might have to wait 'three years' for success again, as Mauricio Pochettino delivers impassioned rant

Chelsea's Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino shouts instructions to the players from the touchline during the English FA Cup fourth round replay football match between Aston Villa and Chelsea at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on February 7, 2024. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has bitten back at supporters disappointed with results, arguing that results from their £1bn project might not come for another "three years".

With the youngest squad in the Premier League by design, Chelsea are hoping their promising talents will develop into the world's best over the next few years. That doesn't mean Pochettino isn't at risk of losing his job, though, with the Argentine having faced intense pressure over the last few days following a 4-2 home defeat to Wolves on Sunday. 

Despite that result leaving them 11th in the Premier League, Pochettino highlighted his commitment to the club and project under Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital after beating Aston Villa 3-1 in their FA Cup fourth round replay on Wednesday night.

Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea celebrates by holding up his shirt after scoring his team's third goal from a direct free-kick during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round Replay match between Aston Villa and Chelsea at Villa Park on February 07, 2024 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Chelsea beat Villa 3-1 on Wednesday (Image credit: Getty Images)

"I want to be here, because I really believe in the project and I really believe in the players," Pochettino said.

He did come out fighting as well, though, suggesting that supporters might have to contend with some more dark days as his young squad gains invaluable experience over the next few seasons.

"We need to stop this thing that we are Chelsea from 20 years ago. We are not this type of Chelsea any more. Now we need to move on and we need to create this project. We need to move on, I don’t care if people are happy or not happy with my speech. I care for the club, I care for my players, I want to help the players.

Santos Matheus Cunha of Wolverhampton Wanderers (left) and Moises Caicedo of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge on February 4, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)

Chelsea's defeat to Wolves left Pochettino under intense scrutiny  (Image credit: Getty Images)

“We are going to fight, I don’t care what the people say. I’m not more sad or happy today after a win because we have experience, this type of project needs time and trust. We cannot build a team to challenge because you need to fix too many things, you need to observe, analyse and compete.

“We are building a project which may be one year, two years, three years. Today you can see we were ready to fight. We fight for the fans, the badge, the coaching staff. Now the challenge is to be consistent.”

Success might come sooner than Pochettino expects, though, as Chelsea prepare to play Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at the end of February. While the Reds beat them 4-1 at Anfield a week ago, victory at Wembley could have a major effect on the project Chelsea are currently hoping brings them plenty of success in years to come. 

But first, the Blues face trips to Crystal Palace and Manchester City in the Premier League.

More Chelsea stories 

Chelsea new manager odds: The favourites to replace Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge

Why Chelsea's FFP situation means sacking Mauricio Pochettino is harder than first seemed

Chelsea could sign Victor Osimhen for cheaper than his release clause

Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future. 

Read more
Jules Breach Column
JULES BREACH: Enzo Maresca has overseen a rebuild at Chelsea this season but success and silverware is still possible during this transition period
Enzo Maresca wants to improve his attack and could look to weaken a fellow top-four rival
‘Chelsea have to qualify for the Champions League for this season to be a success – they showed that they have the players to perform at a high level, they need a win quickly now’ Blues legend’s fears over recent bad run
Cole Palmer of Chelsea celebrates with teammates after Bart Verbruggen of Brighton & Hove Albion (not pictured) scores a own goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea at Amex Stadium on February 08, 2025 in Brighton, England.
Chelsea and Enzo Maresca have three major problems they must solve after crashing out of the FA Cup with alarm bells now ringing
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is facing serious scrutiny over his position at present
WATCH: How to fix Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United's English head coach Graham Potter reacts during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Brentford at the London Stadium, in London on February 15, 2025.
Graham Potter can save West Ham but they must first pay the price of a chaotic summer
Chelsea's English midfielder #20 Cole Palmer (R) celebrates after his deflected shot makes it 2-1 during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge in London on February 3, 2025
Stamford Bridge’s volume can help Chelsea secure the Champions League football they crave and need
Latest in Stories
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: manager Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur FC and Micky van de Venand Cristian Romero during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Tottenham star Cristian Romero 'willing to do everything' to LEAVE: report
Latest in News
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report