NOTTINGHAM
\nChelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino did his best to silence the rumours about his future with the West London outfit following their 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday, saying he plans to be with the team next season.
\nPochettino had raised eyebrows a day earlier when he told reporters: \u201cIf we split it\u2019s not a problem, it will not be the end of the world.\u201d
\nAsked to clarify his comment, Pochettino sounded considerably more confident about his future with the club. \u201cI had an honest conversation in (Friday\u2019s) press conference. To clarify, if the owner is happy with my job we can continue,\u201d he said on Saturday.
\n\u201cI am always a coach who is thinking long term. All departments must be happy for us to be a good team to compete. I still have one more year in my contract and I am thinking to be here.\u201d
\nChelsea are seventh in the table, fuelling hopes of a European berth next season.
\nThey battled back from a goal down thanks to Raheem Sterling\u2019s equaliser in the 80th minute and Nicolas Jackson\u2019s winner two minutes later. Jackson headed home a pinpoint cross from skipper Reece James, who played his first game in five months after undergoing hamstring surgery.
\nJames\u2019 return to fitness \u2014 which also breathes hope into his chances of a place in Gareth Southgate\u2019s Euro 2024 squad \u2014 was a bright spot on Saturday, although Pochettino lamented his return came so late in the season.
\n\u201cHe is unlucky because we are at the end of the season and there are only two games left,\u201d said the 52-year-old Argentine.
\n\u201cHe can add his quality and experience.\u201d Pochettino blamed Chelsea\u2019s place in the table on early-season woes.
\nThey are undefeated in 12 of their past 13 league games. Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly had praised the team\u2019s recent form earlier this week, telling a Sportico conference in Los Angeles on Wednesday that it is proof the club\u2019s plan is \u201ccoming together\u201d under Pochettino.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NOTTINGHAM Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino did his best to silence the rumours about his future with the West London outfit following their 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday, saying he plans to be with the team next season. Pochettino had raised eyebrows a day earlier when he told reporters: \u201cIf we split it\u2019s not […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":406617,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-406615","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n