Pochettino sends confusing message over Middlesbrough defeat

Before Chelsea’s crucial Premier League match against their West London rivals, Fulham, Pochettino spoke to the media.

He confirmed that Nkunku would be absent again due to injury, but he gave positive updates on Badiashile and Chilwell.

They are both expected to join the squad tomorrow, which is a welcome relief for a Chelsea team under immense pressure. Carney Chukwuemeka, who has resumed full training, is not quite fit yet.

Pochettino also commented on Tuesday’s loss to Championship side Middlesbrough and made a puzzling statement.

He said to the press, “If you look at the previous year, many premier league [teams] were eliminated in different competitions in Middlesbrough. Caicedo told me ‘we lost last season against Middlesbrough there with Brighton.’”

However, Brighton defeated Middlesbrough 5-1 last season in the FA Cup 3rd round, and Caicedo was not a professional footballer when the seagulls last lost to Boro.

This season, Middlesbrough have faced two Premier League teams, both in the past week. One was a close loss to Aston Villa and the other was a win over the blues on Tuesday. Last season, Boro played one top flight team and lost 5-1.

The last time Middlesbrough beat a Premier League team before Tuesday was in 2022, when they knocked out Tottenham and Manchester United from the FA Cup, before losing to Chelsea.

You can find the quote at 06:50 below.