March 16th 2024.
This summer, the Brentford coach will be making his way to Stamford Bridge. However, it seems that there may be some tension brewing between Mauricio Pochettino and Chelsea's owners. This is all due to the decision to hire Bernardo Cueva as the new set-piece coach and whether or not he will be allowed on the touchline during games.
It has been reported that Chelsea will be paying £750,000 in compensation to Brentford for Cueva's services. His main responsibility will be to build a specialized set-piece department for the club. This is something that Chelsea has not had in the past, with their goalkeeper coach Toni Jimenez taking on the role. Pochettino has previously downplayed the importance of having a dedicated set-piece coach, but it seems that Chelsea is now looking to catch up with other Premier League teams such as Arsenal and Aston Villa.
While Pochettino has stated that he supports Cueva's appointment, he wants to make it clear that the decision to have him on the touchline during games is ultimately in his hands. As the head coach, he will have the final say on whether or not Cueva will be actively involved during matches. Pochettino and his assistant Jesus Perez have already been working on set-pieces, but he is open to adding more people to his coaching staff if it will benefit the team.
The idea to bring in a specialist set-piece coach was not Pochettino's, but he is willing to embrace it if it will help the team improve and win games. In the past, he has questioned the value of having a specialized coach for set-pieces, stating that it ultimately comes down to the quality of the players and their ability to take set-pieces. However, he acknowledges that having a specialist can be beneficial, as seen with teams like Wolves and Manchester City.
Pochettino also clarifies that they already have a team of analysts and coaches who work on set-pieces, but finding good takers is key. He points to the success of West Ham after the addition of James Ward-Prowse as an example of how having a good specialist player can make a difference. He believes that football belongs to the players, not just the specialists, but having the right people in place can certainly make a positive impact on the team's performance.
Despite any initial doubts, Pochettino is willing to give Cueva a chance and see how he can contribute to the team. He is looking forward to incorporating his knowledge and expertise into their set-piece strategy and hopefully see an improvement in their results. It remains to be seen how Cueva will fit into the coaching staff, but Pochettino is open to exploring new ideas and welcomes anyone who can help the team be better.
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