Poch: Chelsea just starting to build stable culture like City's

Cole Palmer of Chelsea controls the ball during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 06, 2023 in London, England. Pic: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Mauricio Pochettino claims it is easier for new players to settle at Manchester City than at Chelsea due to the huge upheaval at Stamford Bridge during the last 18 months.

Eight of the 11 that started Chelsea’s 4-1 win at Pochettino’s former side Tottenham on Monday have joined since owner Todd Boehly bought the club in May 2022, with a further nine newcomers named amongst the substitutes.

Only three of the side that began Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over City in the 2021 Champions League final are still at the club - Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva - whilst all 12 of the substitutes from the game in Porto have departed, along with manager Thomas Tuchel.

By contrast, Pep Guardiola can still call upon seven of the 11 that started in the final, with the group having formed the nucleus of the side that won the competition last season along with the Premier League title and FA Cup.

Few of the players signed by Chelsea under Boehly have enjoyed an instant impact despite a combined total transfer outlay of over £1billion, whereas City have seamlessly incorporated new recruits into their side, most notably Erling Haaland who netted 52 times during his debut season.

Ahead of Sunday’s meeting with the champions at Stamford Bridge, Pochettino said much of that contrast in fortunes is down to City already having in place the kind of settled culture that he is starting to build at Chelsea.

“When you arrive at a club and in a team that is very confident and solid in how they operate and in their structure, always it’s easier,” he said. “If you arrive at a club that is in a process of building something - (City) are ahead (of Chelsea).

“When a player arrives in a very consistent organisation, it’s only about performing. But the possibility of a player signed by City to perform is higher than if we sign a player here, at the moment.

“We are trying to find the best organisation, the best way to operate, the best way to play, to know each other. At City, you arrive and Pep… doesn’t need to talk too much. The player knows everything they need to do and how they need to behave.

“They know how it works, the club. But here we are all new. Too many players (are new) and the organisation is in a moment where it is evolving and developing, and trying to find the best way to work.”

One player who has impressed since arriving at Stamford Bridge is Cole Palmer, who swapped the Etihad Stadium for west London on the final day of the transfer window.

The 21-year-old has been a standout performer during the improved form that has seen Chelsea win three of their last five in the league and discover an attacking fluency that was conspicuously absent last season.

“It’s not fair to say it surprised me (that City let Palmer go) because now he’s performing and he didn’t play too much at City,” said Pochettino. “We’re two different clubs with different visions and different objectives.

City defender John Stones will miss the trip to Stamford Bridge, manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed.

The England international was forced off at half-time of Tuesday's Champions League win over Young Boys with a muscular problem.

Guardiola has revealed the injury is not as bad as feared but there is no prospect of him travelling.  

"He is injured. He is not ready (for Sunday) and we will see when we come back from the international break.

"The doctor said to me it's not as bad (as first thought) but I still don't know when he's going to be fit."

Guardiola also delivered a positive update on Kevin De Bruyne, who could return before the end of the year, but he will not rush the Belgium playmaker back into action.

De Bruyne has been sidelined since undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury in August.

Guardiola said: "I spoke to him two days ago and he said, 'I feel really good' but still he is not training with us and not running much.

"I don't know but it is the last time (period) before he comes back to train with us.

"I would like to say in two weeks or three weeks, but these type of injuries are better not to put any pressure on. When he feels good, the doctors and physios say go to the next step, then he is coming. Like John Stones, recover without pressure.

"Kevin's was a tough injury with surgery, so step by step."

City head to Chelsea fresh from securing their place in the Champions League knockout stages for an 11th successive year.

Guardiola insists it is something that should be savoured because - as this week's opponents Chelsea have discovered - the good times will not last indefinitely.

He said: "I can't make any comment about Chelsea because I'm not there but always we remind ourselves. Last Tuesday we qualified and I told the players to celebrate because, maybe one day, if we stop doing what we do or the opponents are better than us, we will not be there.

"What we have done is the past. If we are not doing well we will go down, and the down may never end. You can go down more.

"So, take perspective, be calm and (enjoy) good moments. For every team around the world, not just the fact that we are Man City and the last years have been good, (it does not mean) it will happen in the future.

"If you are aware of that, you are closer to still being consistent in Europe for many years."