- Jamie Redknapp insisted Pochettino ‘needed’ Chelsea’s win over Newcastle
- Redknapp also implored Mykhailo Mudryk to use goal to kickstart Blues career
- West Ham can WIN the League Cup… don’t get hung up on rotation. Sod it! Go all out at Anfield – It’s All Kicking Off
Jamie Redknapp has lauded Chelsea’s dramatic EFL Cup quarter-final victory over Newcastle as a potential turning point for Mauricio Pochettino as Chelsea boss.
The Blues went behind early at Stamford Bridge, with Callum Wilson pouncing on a mistake from Benoit Badiashile to slot home from close range.
However, despite falling behind the Blues grew into the game as it progressed despite struggling to create clear cut chances, and remained behind as the game approached its closing stages.
Pochettino’s young side persevered however, and Mykhailo Mudryk capitalised on a poor back pass from Kieran Trippier in stoppage time to net his third goal of the season to send the game to penalties.
Trippier’s bad night continued thereafter as the England star dragged his penalty in the shootout wide before goalkeeper Dorde Petrovic denied Matt Ritchie from the spot to send Pochettino’s side into the semi-finals.
Speaking on Sky Sports following the game, Redknapp insisted that the win could be the catalyst to propel both Pochettino and Mudryk forward at the club.
‘It was a big night for the club, it was a big night for the manager.’ Redknapp said.
‘He needed this and felt like he needed a big night here. He hasn’t won anything in England as a manager so this is what he wants.
‘I felt at the start of the night that this is a big game for both managers. For Chelsea now they can just settle a lot of nerves.
‘They weren’t great. They had lots of possession but they didn’t really have that threat until obviously the mistake at the end but can that be the catalyst as well for Mudryk to really push him on and do more?’
In his post-match interview the former Tottenham boss hailed his team for their victory and insisted his squad are becoming more cohesive.
‘The squad is so young and look the age of the player that they took the responsibility [to take penalties] I think it’s amazing because we were talking always about the talent and to be all together will increase our level and be more competitive.
‘I am so happy I think we are creating a very good bond together, I think to build a team it is always about time to get to know each other.’
The Blues will find out who they will face in the semi-final in Wednesday’s draw, where they could come up against Fulham, Middlesbrough, or the winner of Liverpool vs West Ham.
The first leg of semi-final fixtures are set to take place on the week of the 8 of January with the second leg taking place on the week commencing the 22 of that month.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
