Mauricio Pochettino insists he is “not crazy” to believe troubled Chelsea are on the right track, and that it is just a “matter of time” before they achieve success.
Pochettino’s injury-ravaged side is currently 12th in the Premier League following three losses in their last four games.
Despite a significant investment in players over the last 18 months, Chelsea has fallen behind in the race for a top-four finish.
Despite his baptism of fire at Stamford Bridge, former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain manager Pochettino insisted he remained full of enthusiasm.
“I think it’s so exciting, this project,” the Argentine said on Friday. “We knew that it was going to be difficult and yet it’s more difficult because of the circumstances, unexpected circumstances.”
The 51-year-old has vowed to battle for the faltering club, which was European champions just two years ago under Thomas Tuchel.
“I think the challenge is massive, but I really believe that we can succeed,” he told reporters.
“It’s only a matter of time, but it can be difficult to be patient and believe in what we’re doing at times.”
“The most difficult thing in football, of course, is to keep believing when you don’t get the results you want.” (Time) is not an issue for me. We will be successful. You will undoubtedly see.
“You can say ‘this guy is crazy’ now, but I am not crazy. “I know exactly what I’m doing.”
This week, defenders Marc Cucurella and Reece James, as well as goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, joined the club’s long injured list, although France attacker Christopher Nkunku might make his debut against bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United on Saturday.
Pochettino swore that Chelsea will do everything possible to help injured captain James, who had only recently returned from a hamstring ailment.
“We need to go in depth in the situation,” he went on to say. “He’s a little down because he was so excited to return, and I think his return was perfect because it was step by step.”
“That (injury) is difficult for him to accept.” He’s disappointed and frustrated.
“Now we need to be careful in the way that we are going to talk, but to also assess and try to find the best solution for him to be consistent.”