"Nothing to smile about", "Pochettino never learns" - Chelsea fans left fuming by Mauricio Pochettino's starting XI against Fulham
Chelsea fans on X are far from happy after Mauricio Pochettino named his starting XI to face Fulham in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge later today (January 13).
Dorde Petrovic starts in goal for Chelsea. Malo Gusto, Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva, and Levi Colwill make up the defense. The midfield consists of Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, and Conor Gallagher. Cole Palmer, Armando Broja, and Raheem Sterling start in attack to complete the starting XI.
The Blues will aim to return to winning ways after their shock 1-0 loss against Middlesbrough in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final (January 9). They are currently 10th in the Premier League table with 28 points from 20 games, 17 points behind leaders Liverpool.
The hosts face off against 13th-placed Fulham. The Cottagers have failed to defeat Chelsea in their last 18 away league games, drawing seven and losing 11 - a streak that goes back to October 1979.
Fans vented their frustrations on social media with one fan questioning Colwill being deployed as a left-back:
"Pochettino never learns, Colwill as a LB again"
Another fan said:
"Nothing to smile about"
"He will have a great future over there" - Kalidou Koulibaly tips struggling Chelsea star to be a success at Stamford Bridge
Former Chelsea centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly believes Nicolas Jackson has what it takes to become a success at the club.
The west London outfit signed Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal over the summer for a reported transfer fee of £32 million. The 22-year-old signed an eight-year deal at the club and was expected to reverse the Blues' woes in front of goal.
Unfortunately, things haven't quite clicked for Jackson so far. He has scored eight goals and provided two assists in 23 appearances across all competitions but has become renowned for consistently missing big chances.
Despite all the pressure piling on Jackson, Koulibaly told Sky Sports (via The Chelsea Chronicle):
“He has already scored seven goals which is a good start for him. Maybe people want more from him but they don’t have to forget that he’s a young player and it’s the first year for him in the Premier League. People need time."
He added:
“I think he has a good coach who can help him. Us in the national team, we give him a lot of advice, with Edouard Mendy. We know the club and the people. We know he will have a great future over there.”
Jackson is currently representing Senegal in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and hence isn't in the matchday squad to face Fulham.