Mauricio Pochettino conceded that Chelsea's lack of clinical finishing was the decisive factor as they suffered their eighth Premier League defeat of the season against Wolves. Despite a late goal from debutant Christopher Nkunku, Chelsea couldn't recover from the second-half strikes by Mario Lemina and Matt Doherty. Pochettino acknowledged the team's disappointment, emphasizing the need for better goal-scoring prowess. Chelsea now finds themselves in 10th place, facing a seven-point gap from Europa Conference League qualification.
Chelsea's attacking woes were highlighted once again, as they failed to convert several chances, accumulating a league-high of 36 big chances missed this season. Pochettino expressed frustration at the team's inability to capitalize on opportunities, emphasizing the importance of scoring to secure victories. The Blues are currently enduring a challenging period, losing their fourth consecutive away league game for the first time since December 2000.
In an attempt to address their offensive struggles, Chelsea introduced Christopher Nkunku, whose Premier League debut included a late headed goal. Pochettino cautioned against expecting too much from the 26-year-old, who recently recovered from a pre-season knee injury. Despite Nkunku's potential impact, Chelsea faces an uphill battle to bridge the gap in the second half of the season. The team's attacking concerns were evident in the match, with Nicolas Jackson's underwhelming performance drawing criticism from fans and adding to the team's challenges.
With Chelsea now sitting 10th in the Premier League, Pochettino acknowledged the difficulty of the competition and emphasized the need for adaptation and confidence, especially for players experiencing the league for the first time. As the team faces suspensions for Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling in the upcoming match against Crystal Palace, Pochettino anticipates challenges but remains focused on finding solutions to improve Chelsea's performance.
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