January 26th 2024.
Just moments before the start of the much-anticipated FA Cup clash against Aston Villa, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino had to make a sudden change to his starting lineup. Levi Colwill, who was set to start at left-back, had to be withdrawn due to an injury. Pochettino, however, remains hopeful that it is just a minor issue for the young star.
The unexpected injury prompted Pochettino to make some adjustments in the backline. Alfie Gilchrist was called upon to start at right-back, while Axel Disasi moved inside to play as centre-half. Benoit Badiashile, who was originally playing in the centre, was shifted to Colwill's position on the left. Despite the reshuffle, the game ended in a goalless draw, leading to a replay at Villa Park.
In his post-match press conference, Pochettino provided an update on Colwill's injury, stating that it is not a serious one and he hopes the player can return to training soon. The next day, the football world was stunned by the announcement of Jurgen Klopp's decision to leave Liverpool at the end of the season. Pochettino and Klopp have had many battles on the field, including the memorable 2019 Champions League final, and the Chelsea manager paid tribute to his German counterpart.
Pochettino expressed his shock at the news and revealed that when he was sacked from Tottenham Hotspur, Klopp was the first one to reach out to him. Although he hasn't sent a message yet, Pochettino plans to thank Klopp in person on Wednesday. He also added that the football world will miss Klopp's presence, but they should respect his decision to take a break.
The Chelsea boss also praised Klopp's achievements at Liverpool, stating that his legacy is massive and he deserves all the praise he will receive in the remaining months of the season. He also reminisced about their first encounter when Klopp took charge of Liverpool, and how it ended in a draw. Pochettino concluded by congratulating Klopp and his coaching staff for their remarkable journey at Liverpool.
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