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Mauricio Pochettino, manager of Chelsea, looks on during the FA Cup quarterfinals against Leicester City at Stamford Bridge in London, England, March 17, 2024. /CFP
Mauricio Pochettino, manager of Chelsea, has urged the club's fans to trust and unequivocally support his game decisions in an "unconditional" way after their 4-2 win over Leicester City in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday.
Chelsea seized an an early 2-0 lead in the first half after Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer each scored one goal. However, it took Leicester no more than 17 minutes into the second half to tie the score 2-2. Axel Disasi got an own goal and then Stephy Mavididi blasted the ball into Chelsea's net from the edge of the box.
Pochettino replaced Mykhailo Mudryk with Carney Chukwuemeka in the 78th minute and home fans at Stamford Bridge chanted "you don't know what you're doing" in response. Eight minutes later, the manager introduced Noni Madueke for Raheem Sterling. Both substitutions worked as Chukwuemeka and Madueke scored the two goals for Chelsea during stoppage time.
Mauricio Pochettino (R), manager of Chelsea, hugs his player Carney Chukwuemeka to celebrate the 4-2 win in the FA Cup quarterfinals against Leicester City at Stamford Bridge in London, England, March 17, 2024. /CFP
"I am not the manager here to do what the people want," Pochettino said after the game. "Also, I am not stupid. I did it to go again. For me, I saw Mudryk. We analyze, he was tired and doing some stretching. We thought maybe he will not finish the game and we decide to go first for Mudryk and then for Raheem."
"That is because we need to see everything," he added. "We are professional. We want to win but of course, completely understand the situation. That doesn't mean that I agree. But look, we are going to support Mudryk, Raheem, and all the players in the squad."
Chelsea, finding themselves currently in 11th place in the Premier League with 39 points after 27 games, faces the stark reality that the FA Cup may be the only title they are hopeful of winning this season. They will play Manchester City in the semifinals.
"I not only ask the [fans] to trust me," Pochettino said. "They need to trust the club because in the end if I am here it is the decision of the club and they need to trust the project of the club, as well as me and the club. They need to trust that the club is doing what they think is good for the club and for the fans. It is about trusting everyone."