Pochettino fumes at defensive failings in Chelsea’s disappointing draw with Burnley

Mauricio Pochettino highlighted Chelsea’s inadequate effort out of possession as costly in his side’s 2-2 draw against 10-man Burnley at Stamford Bridge.

A brace from Cole Palmer was not enough to earn Chelsea the win despite Lorenz Assignon being sent off in the first half, as Josh Cullen and Dara O’Shea struck for the visitors.

Pochettino had claimed on Friday that his side should currently be in the Premier league’s top four based on underlying data, but this result has left them 17 points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa.

“I am very disappointed and frustrated with the way we managed the second half,” said the Chelsea head coach, as Cullen and O’Shea found the net after the interval to deny his side the win.

“We are a team that when we play in possession, when we go forward, we can create many chances.

“We didn’t show the capacity, the energy, the hunger [without the ball]. Not the minimum to compete in the Premier League and in the defensive phase we conceded too much.

“That is why I am so upset and disappointed. It’s not about legs, it’s more about being strong in the group and being a team.”

Chelsea currently have the second-youngest squad in the Premier League, and this latest setback has dampened hopes that Pochettino’s inexperienced side can secure European qualification for next season.

The west London club had more than enough chances to see off relegation-threatened Burnley but failed to make the most of 33 shots at goal.

“If we have the capacity to create all of these chances against a team that played very deep and is very physical, then we have to be strong also and have the capacity to recover,” assessed Pochettino.

“We need to be more ruthless, We need to find better communication and be more competitive.

“We are missing something. That is why we are where we are. It is so clear that when we don’t have the ball we are missing our level, the ability to recover and win the ball back.

“We missed communication between us and to help us. After Wolves [Chelsea’s last Premier League defeat], the team was celebrating every tackle, and things like this can increase our competitive level. Today we did not see the same energy.