February 26th 2024.
Chelsea fell short of winning their sixth League Cup title when they were defeated by Liverpool at Wembley. This result was a major disappointment for the team, and former Manchester United player Gary Neville didn't hesitate to express his opinion on the matter.
Neville, who now works as a pundit, had previously referred to Chelsea as "billion pound bottle jobs", implying that they were unable to handle the pressure in big games. While he stands by his remark, he also admits that it may have been a bit harsh. However, he believes that the team did indeed shrink in their defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, which was sealed by Virgil van Dijk's dramatic goal in extra time.
Liverpool, led by manager Jurgen Klopp in his final season, put up a strong fight against a young and inexperienced Chelsea team. As the game headed towards a penalty shootout, the Reds showed their determination and desire to win, while Chelsea, who have spent over £1 billion on signings since Todd Boehly took over the club, appeared to fade.
Neville's comments sparked a debate among Chelsea fans, and manager Mauricio Pochettino also responded to the criticism in his post-match press conference, stating that it was unfair to judge his team given the similar average age of both squads.
On Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, Neville was asked to clarify his controversial statement, and he revealed that he was quite angry at the time of making it. He explained that he could sense fear in Chelsea's players from the first minute of extra time, and he couldn't understand why they were sitting back and letting the young Liverpool team grow in confidence.
He also mentioned the Liverpool fans' chant during extra time, which showed that they could smell the fear in the Chelsea players. Neville felt that if he was a Chelsea player, he would have grabbed the opportunity to win the game against a weakened Liverpool side, rather than shrinking under pressure.
He clarified that his use of the word "bottle" may have been too strong, but he stands by his belief that Chelsea played with fear and froze in the crucial moments of the game. However, he also acknowledged that there are many talented young players in the team who may go on to achieve great things.
Neville also reflected on his own experiences as a player for England, when his team was often accused of "bottling it" in major tournaments. He mentioned how even a respected figure like Alan Hansen had doubted their abilities, but they were able to prove him wrong by winning the double that season.
He also clarified that he doesn't think the term "bottle jobs" implies cowardice, but rather the inability to perform under pressure at the highest level. As someone who is passionate about football, he felt that he had to speak out and deliver his opinion on the matter.
Neville also addressed Pochettino's post-match comments, where he felt that his team was playing for penalties. This only reinforced Neville's belief that Chelsea had indeed shrunk in the final moments of the game, as they were unable to take advantage of a weakened Liverpool side.
He emphasized that his comments were not intended to make things more difficult for Chelsea, but rather to express his passion for the game and his desire to see them succeed under Pochettino's leadership.
In conclusion, Neville reiterated his admiration for Pochettino and his hopes for Chelsea's success in the future. He made it clear that his criticism was not directed at the manager, but rather at the team's performance in the crucial moments of the game. As a former player known for his competitive spirit, Neville hopes to see Chelsea learn from this experience and improve in the future.
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