Mauricio Pochettino is aiming for his first trophy as Chelsea manager (Picture: Getty Images)
Mauricio Pochettino has written an open letter to Chelsea fans ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, saying he will tell his players: ‘When the heart beats a little faster, that is when you must be ready to fight.’
The Blues take on Liverpool at Wembley on Sunday afternoon with the Argentine looking to claim his first bit of silverware as Chelsea manager.
The west London club had a chastening time last time they faced Liverpool, suffering a 4-1 hammering at Anfield in January, while they haven’t beaten the Reds in any of their last eight meetings.
Pochettino admits it will be a tough task, but has revealed the rallying cry he will give to his players at Wembley.
‘Liverpool will not make it easy,’ he said. ‘They are capable of bringing a storm on the pitch and when it arrives, we must be ready to give our best to achieve what we all want. We will remind the players that when the heart beats a little faster, that is when you must be ready to fight.
‘We all know the history of Chelsea. It is massive and everyone understands the expectations of this club. That is the owners, the players, the staff at Cobham, the staff at Stamford Bridge, the Academy, and the women’s team.
‘Many people from the club will be at Wembley today to help us as a team, but also to help translate the atmosphere of the final to the supporters that can’t be in the stadium. Only if we are together can we live these special moments and create these memories.
Jurgen Klopp comfortably got the better of Mauricio Pochettino in their last meeting (Picture: Getty Images)
‘We want the same as you. We want to continue the traditions of Chelsea. We want this trophy.’
On how he will prepare himself, he added: ‘As a coach you must be relaxed ahead of a final to be clear in your thinking. It’s the same for my staff.
‘We all believe in our players and the way we work. This season has not always been easy, that is the reality. But the trust between us as a team has remained really strong.
‘That has helped us reach Wembley and it will help us in this final. Now we must do what Chelsea do. Win.’
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