Chelsea fans rage at Mauricio Pochettino after ‘terrible’ tactical tweak during Crystal Palace clash
CHELSEA fans slammed Mauricio Pochettino for a “terrible” tactical change against Crystal Palace.
A well-taken goal from one-time Blues transfer target Michael Olise cancelled out Mykhailo Mudryk’s opener at Stamford Bridge.
And with Chelsea in search for a second-half winner Pochettino made the bold choice to take off attacker Christopher Nkunku.
That confused some fans, who were also upset the Argentine replaced left-back Levi Colwill with Thiago Silva, who moved into central defence.
That meant right-back Malo Gusto switched flanks, with some Chelsea supporters suggesting Ian Maatsen would have been a better option at left-back.
Maatsen was taken off for Romeo Lavia instead and Benoit Badisahile operated in an unfamiliar role at right-back.
Chelsea fans fumed with Pochettino with one saying: “The changes Poch made have been terrible.
“Keep Nkunku in the middle and sub on Madueke. Should have sent Maatsen to left-back and kept Gusto at right-back. Has to be sacked if Chelsea lose.”
Another added: “Colwill hooked at 50 minutes again after another dreadful left-back performance thanks to Poch. Then instead of moving left-back Maatsen there, he also takes him off and then moves right-back Gusto to left-back. Poch. Is. Clueless.”
A third wrote: “Instead of having Gusto & Maatsen on the flanks. We now have zero width on the right & a wrong footed player on the Left. Poch is clueless.”
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And another commented: “Poch is clueless.”
However Pochettino’s changes were vindicated as substitute Noni Madueke, who replaced Nkunku, won and converted a late penalty to win the match 2-1.
Some Blues fans are already considering appointing yet another manager to replace Pochettino.
One fan eyed another Premier League boss saying: “When Chelsea eventually sack Poch they should swipe up Gary O’Neil.”