Chelsea legend Joe Cole has called on Mauricio Pochettino to address the ongoing injury crisis plaguing the club.
Throughout the season, Chelsea has struggled with fitness issues, with key players such as Christopher Nkunku, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, and Romeo Lavia facing extended periods on the sidelines. The recurrence of setbacks among returning players has left fans searching for solutions.
While some have pointed fingers at Pochettino for the injury crisis, the Chelsea boss has maintained that he has never witnessed such widespread fitness issues in his career. Cole believes resolving this should be Pochettino’s top priority.
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Speaking to 90min in partnership with TNT Sports, Cole emphasized the importance of understanding the root cause of Chelsea’s injury woes. He likened it to a recipe where various factors contribute to keeping players fit and available for matches.
“If you could figure that out and reduce injuries by 50%—I don’t know how you’d do it, but there must be experts out there—it could make a significant difference,” Cole remarked. “If Pochettino had Nkunku, Reece James, [Ben] Chilwell, Fofana, and Lavia available, it could completely change the season.”
Ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Arsenal, Pochettino acknowledged the importance of having a settled team, contrasting Arsenal’s relatively injury-free campaign with Chelsea’s struggles. He stressed the need for consistency and a higher percentage of players available throughout the season.
While recognizing the challenges of maintaining squad fitness, Pochettino remains focused on maximizing the team’s potential despite the hurdles they face.