Chelsea's policy of targeting young players in the transfer market must be given time to prove its effectiveness, according to boss Mauricio Pochettino.
Co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart have led a recruitment drive that has prioritised youth over experience during the last two transfer windows.
At an average age of just over 23 the club have the youngest squad in the Premier League this season, with contracts of seven or eight years for new players common at Stamford Bridge.
They have broken the British transfer record twice in 2023 on two players who are under 23, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo.
Yet the team have taken just four points from the manager's first four league games in charge, after a summer in which recruitment spend in the previous 12 months under the current ownership surpassed the Β£1billion mark.
The manager was unhappy with the ease with which Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga was allowed to run through the heart of his team's defence to score the only goal in the visitors' 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge before the international break, and mistakes in defence and in midfield have been a theme in the season's early weeks.
Nevertheless, Chelsea have enjoyed periods of dominance in all four fixtures, particularly in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool on the opening weekend and in the 3-0 win over newly-promoted Luton.
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic said this week that the squad lacked the kind of world-class individuals that helped the club win five Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues over the past 20 years.
But Pochettino has seen enough to be reassured that his ideas are taking root amongst his young squad, and appealed for the necessary patience for an inexperienced group to find their flow.
'They were (once) young also, John Terry was young, Frank Lampard was young, (Didier) Drogba was young,' he said. 'You know better maybe than me, that is a completely different pressure. This is a different Chelsea to what I saw when I was at Tottenham or Southampton. Worse or better? I'm not saying that.
'But it's different pressure. Different circumstances. Now we cannot compare with the past. I think it's not fair. It's a different Chelsea. What I want to translate is the fans want to win because the normal way in the past for Chelsea is to win.
'We need to accelerate all the process, because Chelsea is about to win, and we want to win. But I understand that the process is completely different to in the past. Because we have a different approach to the game and the philosophy and the ideas, (it means) we have a young squad of course.
'(We have) very talented players that need time to perform. But for sure we have one of the best squads of young players with the project. But of course we need time. We need to be careful about how we evolve and how we develop these ideas. But it's true, players that need to improve and improve.'
Chelsea travel to Bournemouth on Sunday looking to win away from home for just the second time since March, with their only victory on the road in that time coming on their previous visit to the Vitality Stadium at the end of last season.
Pochettino spoke positively about his side's performances so far this campaign despite a points return that has left them 12th.
He emphasised that his young squad are carrying the club into a new era where success is planned over a longer period, investing in potential rather than ready-made stars.
'I cannot give my opinion about what (Begovic) said because I didn't hear,' he added.
'But it's obvious that at the moment, if you're talking about a name like John Terry or Lampard or Drogba... come on.
'Today maybe we have the potential of Lampard or Terry or Drogba, but they are young. They need to prove that they can be one of these guys.
'In the past, Chelsea was about to sign (big) players, like Drogba. Now the idea is to buy young people to have the possibility to develop and to build a team. We are in the process of building a team.'
Kenzy12345
0
my preferred lineup for tomorrow match
cicbcdlnsy
0
blue 4 today
[image]
nice formation bro
huccekno
1
which time whilst you're playing with 7 players with defensive minded π
Rancklrst
1
blue 4 today
Gannymalta
0
Yes. More time is needed. The expectations out there is that the claimed time should tick....and the final tick of approval is to end this season at top 6 and next season top 4 and the next one win EPL and UCL. in 4th season, Win club world cup again! Then Pochettino will be vindicated
Taiwo16
0
Chelsea owner to pochettino be like are your serious with all the billions I spend you are still talking of times need. πππ
tibeknruz
0
go and get saint maximum
JamesCallagher
0
just admit u not a good coach
yeah, only klop is a good coach π€‘
fekaemoy
0
kanedem
0
why will they be ready, even the owners are not ready? it's only the medical team that are ready
Just4luv29
0
When they signed you, I knew they were confused too.
cuybcimst
0
I don't really know why many people like criticism to be frank Chelsea playing style have changed and those young guys are showing us what they can do in future so to me we have one of the best coach in the world and i totally agree with him
Kohadlmntz
0
your complain has too much for us please any how you want do to win game better do it or else sacking will take place Mr man π π π π π‘πππ
Vodaclmu
0
pocthetino should change the system to his line up if not is still performing bad
234Paraboy
1
All this guys does is find excuses for his failure β¦ like heβs the only coach with young team in the world. Heβs Mates are finding out to win games But sheβs in our face every day giving excuses
Thecloud
1
Excuse after Excuse Until You This team Relegation
Nikilong
2
Breaking news π¨ Football fans are now free to leave their house and walk in the streets. Since the transfers window is closed they nolonger have to be afraid that Chelsea will sign them especially when you have the racky hair .
hansing
0
They need some bitting
CallmeCJ
1
U.S.A! I can only see a decline from this pairing! USA and football in Europe π
Vezonic22
0
Poch and Hag went on a shopping spree but got gorceries can't properly place in the fridge.
Riwbdelmnu
2
just admit u not a good coach
yasbkmnpuz
1
We will wait for the next century for a blues win. They are very 'young'
biscmnouz
4
when they all bought players that tuchel never wants did he get time....when they also bought players that potter didn't wants did he gets time....and now the buys most players that you wants....so why you should be treated any different from those past managers
AresSon
3
they would if you didn't play left wing backs every game