Fernandez, Badiashile and Other Chelsea Players Who Have Declined Under Mauricio Pochettino

• Chelsea drew 2-2 with relegation-threatened Sheffield United
• The Blues missed the opportunity to climb up the league table
• Some players delivered dull performances against the Blades

When it looked like the relationship between Mauricio Pochettino and Chelsea fans could grow again after the dramatic 4-3 win over Manchester United in midweek, it hit another low.

The Blues could have ascended the Premier League table and be staring at sixth position with a game in hand if they had beaten Sheffield United, but instead played to an embarrassing 2-2 draw.

The team's performance, more than the result, drew the ire of the fans, who have called for Mauricio Pochettino's immediate dismissal and the sale of some players.

Sports Brief looks at five players who have regressed under the Argentine manager among those he met at the club.

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Chelsea players who declined under Pochettino

1. Benoit Badiashile

The French defender joined the club from Monaco in January 2023 and immediately settled alongside Thiago Silva in defence. A groin injury ruled him out close to the end of last season, and he missed the start of this season. He has been disastrous since returning, most notably in the 4-1 losses to Liverpool and Newcastle United. Per Evening Standard, his substitution proved costly for the team against Sheffield.

2. Enzo Fernandez

The club battled Benfica to sign the Argentine midfielder on the 2023 January transfer deadline day. He started as the deepest midfielder but has been pushed forward by Poch. Despite more freedom, his performances have dipped and become worrisome for the fans.

3. Raheem Sterling

Sterling will retire as a Premier League legend. He has scored over 100 league goals and won four winners' medals. Despite these accolades, he has never looked like a decent player when you watch him. Per Transfermarkt, he has scored eight goals and provided eight assists in all competitions this season but has not looked impressive.

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His best two performances this season were against his former club, Manchester City. Chelsea are seemingly ready to move him on this summer, but he wants to fight for his place.

4. Ben Chilwell

Chilwell has been a shadow of himself since that unfortunate injury against Juventus in 2021. His decline has taken a different turn this season as he struggles with his fitness. Pochettino started the season playing the defender as a winger, in which he offered nothing in return. He is the team's vice-captain.

5. Marc Cucurella

He signed for £63 million from Brighton in 2022 but has done nothing close to proving he is worth half that figure. He is suspect defensively and clueless in attack. He has mastered the art of being busy, making viewers believe he is doing something, and was utterly destroyed by Antony against Manchester United.

Why Chelsea fans turned on Pochettino

Sports Brief also analysed why Chelsea fans turned on Pochettino, who has a £1 billion team at his disposal yet struggled to have a blueprint months after taking over.

His lack of playing identity and playing many players out of position are concerning, while the team's position on the Premier League table does not reflect their potential.