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Premier League | Gameweek 8

Oct 7, 2023 at 3pm UK

Turf Moor

Burnley
1 - 4
Chelsea

Odobert (15')
Cullen (30'), Odobert (38')

FT(HT: 1-1)

Al Dakhil (42' og.), Palmer (50' pen.), Sterling (65'), Jackson (74')
Cucurella (26'), Fernandez (27'), Silva (45+2'), Pochettino (45+4'), Caicedo (74')

Mauricio Pochettino relishing tough selection decisions at Chelsea

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 08 October 2023

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino says that he is relishing the opportunity to have tough decisions to make with his Chelsea squad as the season progresses.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has acknowledged that he 'loves' to have tough selection decisions to make, something that may now occur with his Chelsea squad.

During the opening weeks of the season, Pochettino's options were restricted, a consequence of injuries and his desired signings either yet to arrive or requiring more time to settle.

As a result, the Blues made an uninspiring start to the season, particularly in front of goal, as they only recorded wins over Luton Town and AFC Wimbledon in their first seven matches.

Despite injuries and suspensions further hampering the West Londoners in recent weeks, players who have come into the team such as Marc Cucurella, Cole Palmer and Armando Broja have helped Chelsea to three successive wins in all competitions.

The latest of those triumphs arrived on Saturday afternoon as Chelsea came from behind to record a 4-1 victory over Burnley in the Premier League, with Palmer playing a key role with a penalty and an assist.

Raheem Sterling also took his opportunity in place of Mykhaylo Mudryk to produce an eye-catching display, and Pochettino has admitted that he wants as many selection dilemmas as possible heading into the next phase of the season.

Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring their third goal on October 7, 2023 © Reuters

Speaking to reporters, as quoted by football.london, the Argentine said: "We were performing very well but of course players and individuals improve to add to the team, a bit of quality. That is only with time to know each other and to start to perform.

"We start to recover players now because we suffered too many injuries, also it's going to help the team increase the level and the competition will be tough. Then it will be tough for me to select an XI but it is a thing I love to do and I hope it happens soon.

He added: "Always in football, it is about performance and players need to feel that they deserve to play. If we want to be consistent and fight for big things it's about being consistent every single game and that will be good with competition between them.

"We have a very talented squad but at the moment, for different reasons and circumstances, we cannot use all of the potential of the squad. Some bad luck against us in some situations but with time to be in the position we want to be.

"With the players fit, it will be massive competition and it will be good for the team to keep the level that we need to fight for big things."

Chelsea do not return to action until October 21 when they play host to London rivals Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.