Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino says his players must stop complaining about not getting enough playing time as he warned the club is not a charity.
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Blues boss was asked about Romeo Lavia debutCoach launched into tirade about playersAdmits some are disappointed about game timeWHAT HAPPENED?
The Argentine was quizzed on the availability of Romeo Lavia, who is nearing his return to the team after recovering from an injury, and the manager went into a tirade as he insisted that his players must sacrifice and work hard to earn a place in his team.
AdvertisementGettyWHAT POCHETTINO SAID
"All of the players after a big period, they are desperate to be involved. Even a message for the player, they cannot make the mistake," he said at Friday's press conference. "They want to be involved but we are competing and the competition is serious. They need to train really hard every day, because they need to be an impact every time they go to the pitch. It's not pre-season games.
"For many things it is an excuse, for many it is: 'I want to play, if I cannot play I cannot perform'. You need to understand but players need to understand that this is not a charity, that they are going to play… We need to win. The environment of the player is also disappointed… I am disappointed to have a player who should be important for us is not helping the team. Maybe I am talking too much but come on, it is annoying me. Not you. People around the player, or the player. I am disappointed, the club is disappointed it is investing big to perform and score goals, pay the salary every month if you are injured or not performing. Who suffered us, who suffered for the coaches, for the club. It is to get the right balance."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Lavia is yet to make his competitive debut for the Blues since joining from Southampton in the summer transfer window. The midfelder has been out with an injury since the start of the season. Christopher Nkunku is also being eased into the team after suffering an injury in pre-season and went on to make his debut in the Carabao Cup in against Newcastle in midweek, where he despatched a penalty in the Blues' victorious shoot-out.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?
Pochettino suggested that Lavia could make his first appearance for the London club when the Blues face Wolves in the Premier League on Sunday. Chelsea head into the game in 10th place in the Premier League after beating Sheffield United 2-0 last week.