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Mauricio Pochettino said Chelsea fans had every right to boo Raheem Sterling during their FA Cup win, but insisted he would never be pressured to hang a player as he vowed to support his 29-year-old English striker.
Some supporters chanted for Sterling’s replacement at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea reached the semi-finals by beating Championship side Leicester. Left out of Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad, Sterling had a difficult day for his club as he missed a penalty after collecting the ball from Cole Palmer, failed to finish a one-on-one and scored a free kick from 18 meters which led to widespread jeers.
Pochettino was targeted by fans when he replaced Mykhailo Mudryk in the 78th minute in place of Sterling, who was eventually substituted in the 86th. The Chelsea boss told supporters to “trust” that he knows what is best: “What the fans want is to win the game and we achieved that.” What the fans want is to go to Wembley and we achieved that.
“They have to trust me to manage in the way I think is best for the club. We have to respect their opinion as much as they have to respect my decision.
Asked if anger worried him amid this victory, Pochettino added: “No. That’s why I made the decision. I’m not here to do what people want. plus, I’m not stupid. I saw Mudryk and we analyzed and he was tired. He was doing some stretching and we thought he wouldn’t finish the match. We decided to go for Mudryk first, then for Raheem. We are professionals and we want to win.
Mauricio Pochettino called on fans who booed Raheem Sterling to ‘trust me’ to manage Chelsea
Sterling was hooked late in the match after missing a penalty and taking a poor free kick
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“Of course I completely understand the situation. That doesn’t mean I agree.
Speaking specifically about Sterling, Pochettino said: “The feelings weren’t good for him but we’re going to support him. He has an incredible CV.
“Today he missed the penalty and a few chances but I am happy with him and I will support him. We have to accept the situation. Football fans live with hope. Fans have the right to say what they want.
“I hope that in the next match our fans will still be unconditionally behind the team because we represent Chelsea. We want to make our fans happy and we will try.
Pochettino added that he had “no problem” with Sterling taking the penalty instead of his usual taker in Palmer, who had a perfect record from the spot this season having scored five in five.
Carney Chukwuemeka came off the bench to score and help Chelsea reach the semi-finals
Palmer set up Chukwuemeka with a superb backheel to guide Chelsea to victory against Leicester
Suggesting that Chelsea are having a good season under his leadership, Pochettino continued: “At Southampton they said: ‘We have to go to Wembley.’ At Tottenham: ‘We have to go to Wembley.’ And now look, in nine months, in two different competitions, we are at Wembley.
“We have to take advantage of it. I am a very positive person. I really believe in our fans. I really believe in the club. I really believe in the staff we have today and of course our players. Young, but I like to help them achieve what they want. All together, we will succeed, that’s for sure.
Leicester manager Enzo Maresca said Callum Doyle’s dismissal had changed the complexion of the game: “The fans can be very proud of the team.” It’s a shame that we lost, but at the same time, the way we tried to play, that’s the most important thing.