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Mauricio Pochettino says he does not need to win the Carabao Cup to prove he is an elite manager and that it is more important for Chelsea as a club to secure this silverware.
Pochettino was speaking on Monday ahead of the visit of Newcastle to Stamford Bridge in Tuesday’s quarter-final. The 51-year-old Argentinian has never lifted a trophy in English football while Chelsea have not claimed any title since the Club World Cup in February 2022.
With big names such as Manchester City and Manchester United having exited the Carabao Cup, this is a realistic option for him and Chelsea to end their drought.
‘You need to be in the right club, in the right moment, with all of the elements to win,’ he said.
‘To be an elite manager, it is not necessary to win titles. Many elite managers still didn’t win or are going to win or won. It’s important to analyse every single project and say you can progress or not or deliver the job everyone expects.
Mauricio Pochettino says he does not need to win the Carabao Cup to prove he is an elite manager
Chelsea can reach the Carabao Cup semi-final if they beat Newcastle on Tuesday evening
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle are attempting to qualify for a second consecutive League Cup final
‘It’s important, more than us, for the club because it’s going to be a boost in energy and I really believe in the project.’
Chelsea have not yet decided whether Reece James required surgery after injury his hamstring in their 2-0 loss to Everton last weekend. ‘There is still time to see,’ Pochettino said. ‘In the next few days, we will see and know the possibilities and options.’
One player who could feature for Chelsea against Newcastle is Christopher Nkunku, though Pochettino says he feels he only has 20 minutes in him. Nkunku, who cost the club £52million, has been training with the first team as he builds towards his debut.
On the Carabao Cup, Pochettino continued: ‘For Newcastle also it is an important competition. For us at the beginning of the season it was an objective. It is still. We want to go through.
‘We know we will facing a good team, a Champions League team. I want to win a trophy here in England. It is important. My wish and my desire is to win. That is one of the competitions in which we are involved. It is important.’
