'Between you and me' – Mauricio Pochettino gives unexpected excuse for Chelsea defeat to Liverpool in Carabao Cup final

15/03/2024 16:40

Mauricio Pochettino says another trip to Wembley will be ‘massive’ for Chelsea after his stars ‘didn’t sleep’ before the Carabao Cup final.

The Blues will host Championship leaders Leicester at Stamford Bridge for their FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday, live on talkSPORT.

Pochettino’s side saw off Leeds with a 3-2 win in the previous round, keeping their hopes of a first piece of silverware since their 2021 Champions League win and qualification for Europe in tact.

Chelsea blew their opportunity to achieve both those things last month when they lost 1-0 in extra time in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley, courtesy of a 118th minute goal from Virgil van Dijk.

But when asked if their run in the FA Cup will only feel like a success if they win the whole competition this time round, Pochettino raised eyebrows as he revealed a struggle his side faced the last time they went to the home of football.

Speaking ahead of the clash against the Foxes, the Argentine said: “I don’t know, it’s strange here to say what it means to be successful. It’s difficult.

“Sometimes, you know, expectation is so high. Sometimes it’s low. It depends on the mood of the day in England. Sometimes it rains and sometimes it’s sunny.

“For us, again, to beat Leicester, in a private room inside, at the training ground, will be massive for us. To have another game for this young team to play in Wembley again.

“Between you and me, some players didn’t sleep the day before the final. That has only [made them] more experienced to be together in this type of situation that makes us better.

“Of course, for us, [the aim is] to reach another semi-final. It’s going to be so good for us and the possibility of challenging for the final and be in Europe through the FA Cup will be massive.”

The Blues boss previously took fans by surprise when he admitted his side were pushing for penalties in extra time of the final, rather than going for the winner.

Pochettino is well aware that beating a high-flying Championship side won’t be easy after Leeds gave them such a difficult game.

After all, it was the Foxes that beat the Blues to win the FA Cup in 2021, with Youri Tielemans’ 63rd minute goal being enough to seal victory.

“Leicester are doing very well in the Championship,” Pochettino said. “It’s a very good team we know very well the players and of course the coach is doing fantastic.

“It’s going to be tough to beat them.”