Mauricio Pochettino refutes claims that Chelsea’s ongoing injury woes are linked to his training methods, following another setback that has ruled midfielder Romeo Lavia out for the remainder of the season.
Lavia’s debut season has been marred by injuries, accumulating just 32 minutes of playing time. Arriving unfit, he endured an ankle injury sidelining him until December, and a brief appearance against Crystal Palace resulted in a hamstring problem, keeping him out ever since.
While Lavia’s struggles have been prominent, Chelsea has faced numerous injury setbacks throughout the year. Currently, nine players are sidelined, with Trevoh Chalobah, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Robert Sanchez being the latest casualties.
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Despite criticisms pointing fingers at Pochettino’s training intensity, he asserts that Lavia’s situation illustrates he cannot be held responsible. Addressing Lavia’s case, Pochettino stated, “It’s difficult to explain…he was injured when he arrived…then he suffered a knock…and got injured again…he didn’t train with me. He is sad. It is a sad situation.”
Pochettino emphasized his rarity in facing such injury issues in his managerial career, highlighting his focus on Lavia’s recovery and readiness for the upcoming season.
Looking ahead, Pochettino acknowledges the challenge posed by Burnley on Saturday, emphasizing their physicality and the need for Chelsea to maintain focus and performance. He emphasized the lack of easy games in the Premier League and the threat posed by Burnley’s energetic style of play.