Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has fired back at critics who belittle the Carabao Cup, emphasizing its importance to the club and his desire to bring the trophy to Stamford Bridge.
In response to comments calling the competition the “Mickey Mouse Cup,” Pochettino dismissed the notion, stating, “I don’t know which people are saying this. We are not feeling this way.” He further emphasized the significance of the Carabao Cup, highlighting its recent history of celebrations and declaring it “one of our objectives.”
I saw for more than 10 years how clubs celebrate winning this cup,” Pochettino explained. “It’s a really good opportunity to win. It’s a title, and every title that you can win as a club and for the fans is important.”
Pochettino’s comments come after Chelsea booked their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals following a convincing victory over Newcastle United. With only two hurdles remaining before the final, the Argentine manager clearly sees the competition as a legitimate path to silverware for his team.
His stance aligns with that of other Premier League managers who value the Carabao Cup for its potential to offer early-season trophies and squad rotation opportunities. However, the competition also faces criticism for its congested fixture schedule and its perceived lack of importance compared to major domestic and European titles.
Despite the mixed opinions, Pochettino remains focused on Chelsea’s ultimate goal: lifting the Carabao Cup trophy. His determination and the team’s recent good form in the competition suggest that Chelsea could be serious contenders for the title come the final match.
