08 December 2023 , 22:30
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Mauricio Pochettino has told his Chelsea players how to nullify Everton's team of giants - by preventing cheap free-kicks and corners. The Toffees are statistically the tallest team in the top-flight boasting an average height of 1.85 metres per player.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are the Premier League's second shortest side with an average of 1.78m per player - something that could come at a cost if the Blues are not streetwise. Pochettino said ahead of Sunday's trip to Goodison Park: "It can be a problem but we need to be more aggressive and we need to avoid conceding chances by corners and giving away free-kicks.
"We need to be clever in the way that we are going to work and try to stop them. But yes, it can be a problem but maybe not. You never know because in football it's about the way you approach the game with your attitude and being clever. It's about stopping the opponent from using their strengths."
Pochettino also conceded that he is more angry than he lets off about Chelsea's failure to defend crosses. In his view, that starts by applying pressure to players in the wide areas - something his Chelsea stars just haven't done.
He said when reflecting on the midweek defeat to Manchester United: "Two things that are important to know, we didn't put pressure on the crosser to try and avoid crosses. If the ball is there, it's difficult to stop.
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"We are working on these types of situations and we need to improve. Conceding this way, I'm not showing too much but I am really upset because we need to work much more. It's organisation and desire because we need to stop the crosser. It's not a case of 'it's not my problem' because it's so hard for the defensive line to defend these types of situations once the ball comes in."
Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has told his players that they cannot afford to concede cheap corners and free-kicks against Everton (Chelsea FC)Yet, it's not just about defending Everton's physical prowess - as scoring from crosses could also prove equally tricky for the Blues. Sean Dyche's buoyant Toffees, who have now won back-to-back Premier League matches without letting in a goal, are yet to concede a header all season as Pochettino joked: "Well I hope we can go there and score one! We are going to try."
Chelsea are still likely to be without summer signing Christopher Nkunku, who is yet to play a competitive game since his big-money transfer from RB Leipzig due to a serious knee injury.