Pochettino Urges Fair Play Ahead of Carabao Cup Final Clash

Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has made a strong plea to match officials ahead of Sunday's Carabao Cup final clash against Liverpool, urging them not to succumb to any external pressures or fanfare surrounding Jurgen Klopp's impending departure from the club. Klopp, who announced his decision to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, faces the opportunity to depart with a trophy as the team continues its pursuit in multiple competitions. Pochettino's call for fair officiating comes on the heels of a 4-1 defeat to Liverpool in January, where the coach raised concerns about certain decisions that went against Chelsea. Addressing reporters in a news conference, Pochettino emphasized the importance of unbiased refereeing, stating, "What we need to be sure is we are going to compete and be fair in every single decision." He expressed his desire for a level playing field at Wembley, urging for a match where the best team emerges victorious without any undue influence. While acknowledging Liverpool's strength and Klopp's coaching prowess, Pochettino stressed the need for equitable treatment on the field. He refrained from suggesting that external forces may be rooting for Liverpool to win due to Klopp's departure, instead focusing on the need for balanced competition and fair play. In a bid to enhance Chelsea's chances in the final, Pochettino also provided an update on Thiago Silva's fitness, indicating that the defender has a chance of featuring in the much-anticipated encounter. As the anticipation builds for the Carabao Cup final, Pochettino's call for impartial officiating sets the stage for a compelling battle between two top-tier teams, with the hope that the match will be decided based on pure footballing merit rather than external factors.