Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino today admitted he has not spoken to the club’s owners for two months.
Pochettino’s performance has come under more negative scrutiny following the 5-0 defeat to London rivals Arsenal on Tuesday night.
The Argentine has one year left on his contract — plus the option of another 12 months — and his position will be assessed at the end of the campaign.
Co-owners Toddy Boehly and Behdad Eghbali attended the Carabao Cup final loss to Liverpool in February and were at a club function following the match at Wembley. That now appears to be the last occasion they exchanged words with Pochettino.
When Pochettino was asked if he has spoken to them recently, he replied: “No. To be honest, in the last few months, we didn’t cross (paths), or message. We communicated through the sporting directors (Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart) but nothing has changed.
“We are not changing my view or my feeling (about what is happening). Even in the last few weeks we are not crossing (exchanging) texts.”
Chelsea play at Aston Villa tomorrow night under pressure to respond to the Arsenal performance. They still have a chance of qualifying for Europe via a top seven finish.
Pochettino added: “We were talking (with the players) a lot — today we had a meeting and we tried to realise how we need to behave when the game is tough, when the demands are so high.
“We need to be more strong, to really trust in the way we play, our philosophy, the way we prepare the games and everything to follow. And to have the discipline.”
Raheem Sterling (back) and Carney Chukwuemeka (knee) means Chelsea will be without 12 players for the trip to Villa Park. However, top scorer Cole Palmer (illness) is expected to return to the squad.
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