Mauricio Pochettino urges Chelsea to turn to transfer market again after Everton defeat

LIVERPOOL – Mauricio Pochettino said his side needs strengthening in the January transfer market after a 2-0 away defeat by Everton on Dec 10, despite the club spending £1 billion (S$1.69 billion) on new players over the past 18 months.

A third consecutive win lifted Everton four points clear of the relegation zone as the Toffees continue to shrug off a 10-point deduction for breaches of financial rules.

Midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure opened the scoring before 20-year-old forward Lewis Dobbin’s first Everton goal inflicted another damaging defeat on Pochettino.

Without the penalty for breaching financial rules, which Everton are appealing, Sean Dyche’s men would be 10th, four points above Chelsea.

A seventh defeat in 16 league games since Pochettino, 51, took charge sees Chelsea slip into 12th spot, two rungs below west London neighbours Fulham.

“We need to analyse the reality. We need to talk and to try to improve in the next transfer market,” said the Chelsea manager.

It was a familiar story for the Argentinian as Chelsea dominated the game but failed to make it count. For the third time this season, Chelsea lost despite enjoying over 70 per cent possession.

“Football is about scoring goals and we were not clinical in front of goal,” added the former Tottenham Hotspur boss, who has pleaded for patience as he tries to mould together an array of expensive young talent.

But Chelsea managers do not tend to get much time to turn things around and the pressure is on Pochettino to find a quick fix to his side’s problems.

He shuffled his pack after a dreadful display in losing 2-1 at Manchester United on Dec 6, welcoming back Conor Gallagher from suspension, while captain Reece James, Benoit Badiashile and Armando Broja came in.

But James’ injury-hit campaign continues as he was forced off midway through the first half.

Chelsea were undone by a familiar lack of punch up front.

Enzo Fernandez tested Jordan Pickford with an effort from outside the box before the England number one produced a spectacular stop to deny Cole Palmer a stunning goal from long range.

Broja was offering far more than Nicolas Jackson as a target for Chelsea to hit, but did not solve Pochettino’s need for a clinical finisher.

The Albanian prodded his best chance over late in the first half from Mykhailo Mudryk’s teasing cross.

Everton blew Newcastle away 3-0 to move out of the relegation zone on Dec 7 but took time to warm to their task three days later.

It was not until after half-time that the hosts had a shot on target as Dwight McNeil’s sweet strike from the edge of the box was turned behind by Robert Sanchez.

Chelsea did not heed that warning as they were cut wide open with Everton’s next attack.

McNeil’s pass in behind was perfectly weighted for Dominic Calvert-Lewin and when his effort was saved by Sanchez, Doucoure was on hand to fire in the rebound.

The Mali international scored the goal on the final day of last season that saved Everton from relegation and his six goals this season are helping his club prolong their 70-year stay in the English top flight.

Everton then comfortably held on before adding to their lead in stoppage time. Chelsea substitute goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic flapped at a corner and Dobbin smashed home to spark wild scenes of celebrations.

A third win in nine days has nearly wiped out the toughest sporting sanction in Premier League history, capping a stunning week for Everton.

“They’ve spent a fortune on players, he’s (Pochettino) a top manager, but I would say you’ve got to find ways of winning,” said Dyche. “That’s the pleasing thing, we are finding different ways of winning.” AFP