Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino hailed midfielder Enzo Fernández for his standout performance in the Blues’ 3-1 FA Cup victory over Aston Villa on Wednesday, February 7. The Argentine maestro delivered a stunning free-kick and controlled the midfield, propelling Chelsea into the fifth round of the competition.
Addressing the press post-match, Pochettino underscored the prevalent trend of harsh criticism directed at players following a subpar outing. He called on fans to recognize that many of Chelsea’s current players are young and require time to showcase their abilities.
Pochettino expressed, as quoted by Metro:
“In today’s era, it’s unfortunately easy to subject people, including public figures, to abuse. Players are human, not robots, and it’s distressing how readily such criticism is delivered. We must remember that we’re playing football. Unfair situations like these understandably evoke frustration.”
He further stated:
“Enzo demonstrated his worth today. However, we never doubted him, nor did we doubt [Moises] Caicedo or other young players who joined us with aspirations of winning titles and being successful with every touch. He’s a champion player.
When he signed a year ago, he arrived after almost two years without rest, under immense pressure, still young, in a new environment, language, and culture, joining a team in need of development. These circumstances necessitate time.”
Continuing his discourse, the Chelsea manager emphasized:
“I’m not making excuses. I’m here because I genuinely believe in the project and the players. But let’s refrain from fostering expectations that don’t align with reality and support the players as they strive to build something substantial.”
Conor Gallagher and Nicolas Jackson netted Chelsea’s first two goals, with Enzo Fernández sealing the victory with the third in the second half. Although Moussa Diaby pulled one back for Aston Villa in the 91st minute, their comeback efforts fell short.
