Mauricio Pochettino admits Chelsea have a height problem and reveals how they plan to tackle Everton's physical advantage.
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Pochettino admits Chelsea have height problemEverton have the tallest squad in Premier LeagueChelsea conceded headed goals in each of their last four gamesWHAT HAPPENED?
The Chelsea manager acknowledged that height and physicality are important attributes for a team in the Premier League as he prepares to face Everton this weekend.
The Toffees boast of having the tallest squad on paper while the Blues are among the shortest teams. Also, Pochettino's side have conceded headed goals in each of their last four matches including their midweek clash against Manchester United, while Sean Dyche's men are yet to concede a headed goal this season.
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When asked how the manager plans to tackle his team's height problem in their upcoming game, Pochettino told reporters, "It can be a problem, yes. We need to be more aggressive and try to avoid conceding chances like corners or wide free-kicks. We need to be clever in the way we are going to work and try to stop them. In football, it’s the way you approach the game, the attitude and then being clever, trying to avoid giving the possibility to the opponents to use their strengths.
"We need to improve. Conceding in this way, maybe I am not showing too much emotion, but I am really upset. We need to work much, much better in these situations. It is both organisation and desire. For me, we need to stop the crosses. Because after if it is ‘Oh it’s not my problem because the opponent crossed’ then for the defensive line it is so difficult to defend these type of situations."
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The Blues had reportedly opted against signing Declan Rice in the summer who eventually went to Arsenal while they signed Brighton's Moises Caicedo. Interestingly, Rice measures more than six feet in height while Caicedo is 5ft, 10in which is the same as his midfield partner Enzo Fernandez.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?
Chelsea will hope to overcome the physical disadvantage against Dyche's side and get back to winning ways as they travel to Goodison Park on Sunday.