Mauricio Pochettino called for Chelsea’s fans to respect his decisions after they jeered his choice to substitute Mykhailo Mudryk during Sunday’s 4-2 FA Cup quarter-final win over Leicester City.
One day on from Coventry City’s stunning 3-2 win over Wolves, it looked like Chelsea might also succumb to an upset as Leicester fought back from 2-0 down to draw level just after the hour mark.
However, Callum Doyle’s red card put Leicester under pressure, and Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke came off the bench to score stoppage-time goals and seal the Blues’ place in the last four.
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Madueke was sent on for Mudryk after 78 minutes in a decision which prompted jeers from the home fans, while chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” were also directed at Pochettino.
In his post-match press conference, Pochettino accepted fans have every right to voice their opinions but called for greater trust to be placed in him.
“We are in a process to build something. What the fans wanted was to go to Wembley and we achieved that,” he said.
“They need to trust me to manage in the way I think is the best way for the club. We need to respect their opinions as much as they need to respect my decisions.
“I am not here to do what the people want. I am also not stupid.
“We analysed it and saw that Mudryk was tired, he was doing some stretching. So we decided first to take off Mudryk and then Raheem Sterling. We are professionals.”
🔁🔛
Chukwuemeka 76’
Madueke 83’⚽️⚽️
Chukwuemeka 90+2’
Madueke 90+8’#CFC | #EmiratesFACup— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 17, 2024
Sterling was also booed by his own fans, most audibly when he blazed a dreadful free-kick over the crossbar after Doyle’s sending-off.
Sterling also saw a first-half penalty saved by Jakub Stolarczyk, having taken the ball off regular taker Cole Palmer.
Pochettino said the Chelsea squad will rally around Sterling, adding: “We need to accept to either agree or not agree. All the fans have expectations and want the best for the club.
“It was not a good feeling for him but we need to support him, he’s an amazing player. He has more than 10 years of Premier League experience, playing for big teams.
“His contribution was good. He was a little bit unlucky with some actions, but we are a team and we need to be there for everyone.”
Pochettino also said he had no issue with Sterling taking the penalty, adding: “For me the decision is there and I am going to support the decisions of my players on the pitch.
“I’m always happy with their decisions.”
