Mauricio Pochettino admitted that the Chelsea job has been harder than he thought, going into their clash against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
Approaching the halfway stage of the season, Chelsea have lost eight of their 18 Premier League games this season and defeat at Wolves on Christmas Eve means they have just 22 points so far.
‘We knew it was going to be tough this year but never (this tough),’ said Pochettino. ‘Because of all the circumstances (injuries and suspensions), it makes the situation worse. We have too many important players out and too many circumstances going on from the start of the season that is out of our hands. But at the same time, it’s a good challenge,’ the Argentinian added.
And Pochettino insisted that he has fallen short of his own expectations since taking over in the summer, stressing that his target was to take Chelsea to the top of the Premier League. They are currently 10th and level on points with Wolves and Bournemouth.
‘We are so far away (from our targets). To be honest, our target was to be on top. We are Chelsea and with our history and everything, it demands us to be near the top. But at the moment we need to be realistic. We need to compete better if we want to win more games,’ said Pochettino.
Five Chelsea players were booked during their loss at Molineux, with Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling both now suspended for Wednesday’s game at Stamford Bridge. Their tally of 56 yellow cards is the most in the top-flight though Pochettino was adamant that his side do not lack discipline.
‘It’s representative of the fact that we play for Chelsea - we are a big club and you feel the pressure. When you are frustrated and lack a bit of experience, it’s somewhere we can improve,’ he said.
‘It’s (Cole) Palmer’s first season in the Premier League and it is normal. He is playing for Chelsea. Of course, it’s frustrating. But the players care, the players want to win. It’s not about a lack of discipline. It’s about having the ability to read the situation of the game.’