Mauricio Pochettino begged Chelsea supporters to “trust” him and cheer for Raheem Sterling following their jeers during Sunday’s FA Cup quarterfinal victory against lower-division Leicester.
At Stamford Bridge, Pochettino’s team gave 10-man Leicester a worry after blowing a two-goal lead at the interval, but they rallied for a thrilling 4-2 victory.
Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer goals had put Chelsea ahead, but a hilarious own goal by Axel Disasi and a fantastic equaliser by Stephy Mavididi incited a furious reaction from Chelsea fans.
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The Blues supporters, who were already irate with their uneven team’s decline to 11th place in the Premier League, heckled Sterling throughout his poor performance, which included a missed penalty in the first half and further jeers when he was replaced.
As Pochettino replaced Mykhailo Mudryk, he was also jeered and attacked with “you don’t know what you’re doing” cries.
After Callum Doyle of Leicester was sent off for a professional foul on Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea defused the heated atmosphere with goals in stoppage time from Noni Madueke and Carney Chukwuemeka, securing their second cup semifinal participation of the year.
For the runners-up in the League Cup to win Chelsea’s first domestic trophy since the 2018 FA Cup, they will need to turn around this disorganised performance.
However, the under-fire If the supporters are patient, Pochettino promised to make the necessary corrections.
“We are in a process to build the team. I know really well how to manage. What the fans want is to win the game and that we achieved,” Pochettino said.
“What the fans want is to go to Wembley and that we achieved. They need to trust me to manage in the way I think is the best way for the club.
“We need to respect their opinion as much as they need to respect my decision.”
Fans have already turned their attention to Sterling this season due to his terrible play, but this was his lowest point.
With England’s upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium approaching, Sterling has once again been left out of the team; he is hardly the same player who wowed Manchester City.
Despite Pochettino’s support, he could not make England’s Euro 2024 squad and his career at Chelsea could be in jeopardy.
“We need to support him, he’s an amazing player. He has more than 10 years’ experience in the Premier League,” the Argentinean said.
“Of course I think the contribution was good. He was a little bit unlucky with some actions where he should have scored. But we are a team and we need to be there for everyone.
“Fans are entitled to show their emotion. For us we try to emphasise with our fans not to criticise.
“They want the best for our team and players. But we are in a project. We need support and to really believe. We are trying to build something.”