Chelsea players express regret over Mauricio Pochettino's departure from the team with facial expressions and surprised emoticons.
Chelsea's players can't stop singing praises for their former manager, Mauricio Pochettino, who unexpectedly left the team on Tuesday after just 11 months. Pochettino had faced criticism for most of the season due to Chelsea's unstable performance.
But, the last few weeks of the season showed some signs of improvement as Chelsea managed to secure six wins in a row and finished sixth, securing a spot in the Europa League. Pochettino also led Chelsea to the League Cup Final, where they lost to Liverpool, and the semifinals of the FA Cup.
Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, Chelsea's sporting directors, released a statement expressing their gratitude to Pochettino for his service. They added that he was welcome back to Stamford Bridge anytime and wished him well in his coaching career.
Chelsea's recent investments in player transfers amounting to more than a billion dollars, with $500 million spent last summer alone after Pochettino arrived, haven't been fruitful so far. Most of the players bought by Chelsea in the Boehly era have been young and inexperienced, while key senior players such as César Azpilicueta, N'Golo Kanté, Mateo Kovačić, and Mason Mount left before the season started.
With a rollercoaster season behind them, Pochettino remained a favorite among the players, with several of them showing their gratitude towards the Argentine.
Nicolas Jackson, a striker, wrote on Instagram, "Love you coach. Wish we could stay together more." Followed by a facepalm emoji and then three more. In an earlier post, he wrote, "But may God continue to bless you and your family. Thanks for the advice and support, you're a true lion and a fighter, wish you all the best."
Moises Caicedo, Chelsea's most successful transfer under Boehly, had a phenomenal first season at Chelsea after joining from Manchester City and was named the Premier League's Young Player of the Year.
Caicedo expressed his gratitude to Pochettino on Instagram, accompanied by a sad emoji. "It was a pleasure to work with you," he wrote. "I wish you all the best for the future!"
Marc Cucurella, a defender, posted his message below three shocked emojis. "Thanks for everything Mister. Good luck in the future," he wrote.
Finally, Pochettino expressed his thanks to Chelsea's owners for the opportunity to be part of the football club's history. He also said, "The Club is now well-positioned to keep moving forward in the Premier League and Europe in the years to come."
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Despite Chelsea's struggles during Pochettino's tenure, several players continue to show their love for him. For instance, midfielder Marc Cucurella posted a message below three shocked emojis, saying "Thanks for everything Mister. Good luck in the future." Similarly, Moises Caicedo, Chelsea's Young Player of the Year, expressed his gratitude towards Pochettino on Instagram, accompanied by a sad emoji.
Source: edition.cnn.com
