![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/gary-neville-identifies-two-chelsea-stars-that-could-destroy-mauricio-pochettinos-plans/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2_MIRRORNEVILLEPOCH.jpg&description=The former Manchester United man and Sky Sports regular has explained that Chelsea's season could be scuppered if two of their most important players have any more fitness issues Gary Neville has claimed that all of Mauricio Pochettino's plans for his first season at the helm of Chelsea would be "destroyed" if Reece James and Ben Chilwell get injured. Pochettino now has his first competitive game as Blues boss under his belt following the 1-1 draw against 'big-six' rivals Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The Argentine opted for an interesting tactical decision against the Reds that saw Chelsea play with a three-man defence, deploying James and Chilwell in more attacking roles as wing-backs. While Neville was impressed with what he saw from the Blues, who managed to cancel out Luis Diaz's opener via a goal from debutant Alex Disasi, the former Manchester United man feels Chelsea are placing plenty of responsibility on James and Chilwell, which is fine - so long as they stay fit. "There's a lot to work with, a lot of potential, and I think they've got the right coach to turn that potential into high-quality performances," he The Gary Neville Podcast on Sky Sports. "What we've seen [on Sunday] is that Chelsea have fantastic wing-backs but they've both gone off, first game of the season. "That will destroy Pochettino's plans. If you're going to play wing-backs, they have to be outstanding players of high quality, who attack like wingers and defend like full-backs, and they have that. But the big question mark is if those two can stay fit. Those wing-backs are crucial and if they lose them the whole thing could fall apart a little." Both James and Chilwell are vital cogs in the Chelsea system, but Neville's fears regarding their fitness are not unfounded. The pair of England internationals have both struggled with injuries in recent years and James was even hauled off early against Liverpool, though that is believed to be because of fatigue more than anything else){kind=link}
The former Manchester United man and Sky Sports regular has explained that Chelsea’s season could be scuppered if two of their most important players have any more fitness issues
Gary Neville has claimed that all of Mauricio Pochettino’s plans for his first season at the helm of Chelsea would be “destroyed” if Reece James and Ben Chilwell get injured.
Pochettino now has his first competitive game as Blues boss under his belt following the 1-1 draw against ‘big-six’ rivals Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The Argentine opted for an interesting tactical decision against the Reds that saw Chelsea play with a three-man defence, deploying James and Chilwell in more attacking roles as wing-backs.
While Neville was impressed with what he saw from the Blues, who managed to cancel out Luis Diaz’s opener via a goal from debutant Alex Disasi, the former Manchester United man feels Chelsea are placing plenty of responsibility on James and Chilwell, which is fine – so long as they stay fit.
“There’s a lot to work with, a lot of potential, and I think they’ve got the right coach to turn that potential into high-quality performances,” he The Gary Neville Podcast on Sky Sports. “What we’ve seen [on Sunday] is that Chelsea have fantastic wing-backs but they’ve both gone off, first game of the season.