Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino on their Premier League clash with Brentford and the latest on the fitness of Reece James and Christopher Nkunku
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00:00 No, he's not available to you.
00:07 No, he's not available to you.
00:31 I think he's doing really, really well and he's working really hard.
00:37 I think he's really close.
00:38 I hope, you know, as soon as possible we can have him involved again on the game.
00:45 He's a really important player for us.
00:56 I think we are in a situation that is still improving.
01:02 We are still far away from what we expect and what we want.
01:06 But yes, I think it's important to keep this momentum, you know, after the three games
01:12 and the seven points.
01:14 I think we have a good possibility tomorrow, an opportunity to show ourselves that we can
01:19 keep this momentum.
01:21 But it's not on record, eh?
01:28 It's not on any TV.
01:29 I didn't see.
01:30 Of course.
01:31 Tomorrow out.
01:32 No, no.
01:33 I think it was unbelievable because I was so angry because I didn't expect that and I didn't
01:45 see from where it came.
01:47 And when I turned and he was like, "Sorry" to me.
01:52 Amazingly, we saw it in our cameras and our wide cameras and I was a little bit unlucky.
01:58 But yes, good thing that they didn't damage me.
02:03 The revival of Mikel O. Mudrick and Marco Carrera has been so impressive.
02:08 Just how pleased have you been by their attitude and the commitment they've shown in recent weeks?
02:12 Yes, this is what we expect from our player.
02:14 Attitude is the most important thing and, you know, be available always to deliver what
02:21 we expect from them.
02:24 Without attitude or without the right attitude, it's impossible to perform.
02:30 Yes, so happy, so happy for the whole team is showing great attitude.
02:35 And finally for me, Chelsea have won the last 12 matches in the Premier League at home.
02:41 Yes, you haven't been here for most of those, but how important is it to get that?
02:45 Really important, really important.
02:46 I think we need to create our run at home.
02:49 We need to start to win.
02:51 I think we need to start to, you know, to project the image that we are solid and consistent
02:59 in front of our fans.
03:01 Yes, we are desperate to show our fans that we can get the three points at home.
03:05 Alex, PLP.
03:07 Hi, Ruti.
03:08 Hi, hello.
03:09 First time facing Brentford, they've won both games at Stamford Bridge since they were promoted.
03:15 What kind of challenge are you expecting tomorrow?
03:18 No, it's going to be a tough game because they are a very good team and they are doing
03:21 very, very well.
03:22 And I think it's a very tough team to play again.
03:25 They use two different formations, sometimes can play with 1-4-3-3 or 1-5-3-2.
03:32 We'll see.
03:33 But I think we were ready to face a team that is a very good team and good players.
03:40 Yes, it's a nice challenge for us tomorrow.
03:43 What are your thoughts on Thomas Frank as a manager?
03:46 No, he's doing a fantastic job in a club that, of course, can develop his job and his idea.
03:54 And I think he's doing a fantastic job in England.
03:58 How has Ruth James got on this week?
04:00 Is he ready to start?
04:02 No, he's still not ready to start.
04:04 I think he's doing well.
04:06 He was training really well.
04:07 He's really close.
04:08 But at the moment, tomorrow, he's still going to be on the bench.
04:13 You said earlier this Chelsea side are far away from where you want them to be.
04:17 How far?
04:19 Far away.
04:20 I don't know.
04:21 To measure, about metres or centimetres or kilometres.
04:28 But I think if we talk about wrestling, we talk about performance, we need to improve.
04:35 Of course, we need to recover all our players.
04:39 The circumstance from the beginning didn't help at the moment to improve in different areas in the way that we want.
04:47 But I think we are building a very strong team.
04:53 The mentality is there.
04:55 Much better, our standards are going high.
04:58 And I think we are happy in the way that we have evolved from day one.
05:05 But still far away from what we expect from our team and from us.
05:10 We are Chelsea and we know that our responsibility is massive and all is about to win.
05:18 Do you think you can get them to where you want them to be this season?
05:21 I hope so.
05:23 Yes, that is what we want.
05:26 To be good and to reach the level that we want and we expect.
05:33 For sure it's going to be tough but I think we are going to try in this season to be in the position that we deserve to be.
05:39 You're welcome.
05:40 Thank you.
05:41 John.
05:42 Just to follow up on Koukou again.
05:44 He's recovering quicker than you thought he would.
05:47 You said he's very close.
05:48 Are you talking next week?
05:50 Maybe after the next international he will be involved.
05:57 Maybe, maybe.
05:59 But it's not sure.
06:01 Just one on the game.
06:03 You're playing a game on Christmas Eve and I know a lot of your fans are not happy with that.
06:07 I just wanted to get your take on it.
06:09 It's sure now, it's confirmed.
06:13 And our fans are not happy.
06:16 Me neither.
06:18 I'm not happy also.
06:20 Because 23 is my anniversary with my wife.
06:24 And I need to travel to Volvo.
06:29 And I'm going to spend the night of the 23 in my house.
06:34 And then the 24 is for an Argentine people.
06:38 It's a really important night.
06:41 And I hope to arrive on time to celebrate after the Christmas day.
06:45 But yes, our fans are not happy.
06:48 I'm not happy also.
06:50 Is it something you're afraid of?
06:52 That you might try and get changed?
06:55 It's difficult because I think it's not easy to change.
06:59 But we need to accept we are in England and that is different than the rest of the world.
07:05 But I need to adapt myself.
07:09 Even if I'm not happy, I need to do my best to be in our best level.
07:18 And of course, to accept that this is a situation we cannot change.
07:22 After the Brentford game, you've got Tottenham, Man City, Newcastle Brights and Manchester United.
07:26 Does that put a bit more pressure on this one to get a big win?
07:30 I think the Premier League is always tough.
07:32 And every single game is difficult.
07:34 You can see the games that we play.
07:39 And I think it's going to be tough all the game.
07:42 But I think it's good to play with teams that are supposed to be on the same level as us.
07:48 But for me, the fixture is not important.
07:52 We need to go day by day and game by game.
07:55 How different is it playing Brentford to the challenge of playing Arsenal tactically?
08:01 Yes, of course it's different.
08:04 And then we need to pay attention to different characteristics.
08:09 Maybe they use a different shape to play against us.
08:12 That is why we need to be aware of that.
08:15 But of course, for sure, it's two different ideas and philosophy.
08:20 And of course, it's always a different challenge.
08:23 It's going to be.
08:25 Simon, can you confirm that Cole Palmer is your designated penalty taker?
08:32 And if that is the case, have you had words with Raheem Sterling in terms of what happens during Arsenal games?
08:39 Look, it's not...
08:42 It's a few players that can take the penalty.
08:46 I think it's about their feelings.
08:49 I think we are a coaching staff that we give the possibility for them to decide inside the pitch.
08:57 It's not only one player or we can say, "OK, this player is going to be in charge."
09:04 Because that is about the feelings that they have inside.
09:08 I've seen Cole, that at the moment was great in the two penalties that he took.
09:16 And of course, after a conversation with Raheem or Nico Shaxson, who was on the pitch,
09:22 and discuss who is more confident to take the penalty, for me, I am happy with the decision from them.
09:32 So tomorrow, if you get another penalty, it depends on who wants it?
09:37 Yeah, normally I suppose it's going to be him if he's on the pitch.
09:42 If not, for me, I am happy as well with Raheem, with Nico, with all the players that will be there.
09:47 For me, the most important is to have the decision and the personality to go and to take.
09:51 And after, you can miss, of course, because that is a penalty.
09:54 You can make a mistake and miss a penalty.
09:56 But for me, the most important is to be confident and show the right attitude when you go to take the penalty.
10:02 What difference has having a conclu around made to your plans?
10:12 I think it was the player that maybe when you see the goals that he scored from last season,
10:19 you know it's a player that can provide goals and I think we are missing goals.
10:28 That is why we always think that it's a player that can be important for us.
10:35 Because he proved that he can score goals in a league like the Bundesliga.
10:40 And of course, when you compare with different offensive players,
10:43 maybe today with 8 or 10 goals from Mbembe Nkunku,
10:48 maybe the situation should be completely different.
10:52 Because it's the goals that we are missing to be in a different position.
10:57 Yes, unlucky, but we need to...
11:00 Also, we cannot complain, we need to work.
11:03 That things can happen.
11:05 And yes, looking forward to recover him and to see if it's possible to help the team to score more goals
11:12 and to earn more goals and be in a different position in the table.
11:15 OK, last two in this section. Varman and then Ian's finish.
11:19 Hi, Mauricio. You just said you feel like you lack goals,
11:24 but you've done something you haven't done in a year.
11:26 In the last three league games, Chelsea have scored at least two goals.
11:30 You just said Mbembe Nkunku is coming back, maybe after the international break.
11:35 Is that an indication that you might not need to hide anyone, given how...
11:38 Well, football is really dynamic.
11:40 Today maybe we are thinking in a different way than two weeks ago or three weeks ago.
11:45 But, you know, we are ready.
11:48 I think we are ready, working with the sporting director and the owners,
11:51 to try to be ready in the moment that it's open, the transfer window,
11:55 to see if the team need or not, the squad need or not,
11:58 to add some players in the position that we are talking about, in an offensive position.
12:04 OK, last question. Ian.
12:06 Hi, Mauricio. Have you told your wife yet you won't be there for the anniversary?
12:12 She fancied a night in Wartburg.
12:14 I believe I am not going to convince her to come, you know, to visit me.
12:24 I don't believe, I don't believe.
12:26 It's going to be my 31st anniversary.
12:31 OK, we'll leave it there. Cameras off, please. Thank you.
12:34 [BLANK_AUDIO]