22 February 2024 , 17:15
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Chelsea legend William Gallas believes winning the Carabao Cup would save Mauricio Pochettino's season - but fears he will come up short.
Just 19 days ago, boo was the colour at Stamford Bridge as fans turned on Pochettino following the Blues’ dismal 4-2 home defeat by Wolves. Two-time title winner Gallas was part of the side who set the ball rolling for Chelsea ’s collection of 18 major trophies in the Roman Abramovich era when they beat Liverpool in the League Cup final in 2005.
And he says Poch Spice will have “failed” in his first year at the Bridge if he doesn’t break his duck and lift a first trophy in English football at Wembley on Sunday. Gallas said: “Chelsea’s players have nothing to lose. They will be going into this game as the underdog, and they just have to go for it.
“But it’s different for Pochettino. If he doesn’t win this competition, that means he has failed this season. He will finish empty-handed, and he will not have achieved any of his targets this year because Chelsea will not qualify for the Champions League.
“Everybody needs a trophy! People can say, ‘Oh they play nice football, the players did well.’ No! You’re in football to win and to experience the feeling of lifting a trophy, and the Carabao Cup is an opportunity for Pochettino to save his season.”
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Gallas, speaking to Gambling Zone, says Chelsea must adopt a simple blueprint against a team who beat them twice on penalties, after twin 0-0 draws, in both domestic finals two years ago.
He said: “It doesn’t matter how you play in a final, you just have to win it. Finals are all about getting results. It’s not about playing good football and making people happy, it’s about winning. Don’t be scared on the ball. Give everything. It’s simple.”
Now 46, the former France international insisted Liverpool were favourites on Sunday - unlike the 2005 final in Cardiff, where Chelsea messiah Jose Mourinho was ordered from the dugout by police after a provocative ‘shush’ gesture towards Reds fans.
William Gallas makes his old club Chelsea underdogs at Wembley (Mike Kireev)"For me it is unusual to be sent off by the police,” admitted Mourinho. “I am happy I am not going to jail."
Gallas recalled: “When we played Liverpool when I won it in 2004-5, they were struggling in the Premier League – I think they were in eighth position, and we were top.
"This time around, it is Chelsea who are in mid-table and Liverpool are top of the league, so it will be hard for Chelsea to lift the trophy. I don’t think Chelsea will win, but as a former Chelsea player my heart is with them.
“We know that Klopp is on the way out of Liverpool and the players will be extra motivated to get a result for him.
“If Liverpool win this trophy, they will draw level with Manchester United on overall trophies with 68 each. Maybe the players know about this – I’m sure Klopp does, and I think Liverpool will be ready to win on Sunday.”
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