head coach has fired a huge warning to , insisting his player ‘needs to improve’ and is ‘still not at his best’.
Mudryk against at Stamford Bridge on Saturday but was replaced on 66 minutes as Pochettino brought on Nicolas Jackson.
Despite his goal, Pochettino is still expecting much more from the 22-year-old Ukraine international, who moved to Chelsea for £88.5m in January this year.
Asked if Mudryk’s substitution was due to the player ‘running out of gas’, Pochettino said in his post-match press conference: ‘No.
‘I think he played well but he also needs to improve. For me, he is still not at his best.
‘I think we needed to make a change to add a little bit more pressure with Jackson in front.
‘In that situation, we created a few chances and the game was closer to 3-0 than 2-1.’
Meanwhile, Pochettino lauded Cole Palmer as he spoke more generally about Chelsea’s draw with Arsenal.
‘I think we lost two points,’ the Argentine head coach told the BBC. ‘We are disappointed but you can not change the analysis and the judgement of the game.
‘We were very competitive against a very good team fighting for the Premier League last season.
‘We are a young team and I think the way we competed is a lot to be proud but we’re disappointed because after 77 minutes when we conceded the first goal I think we were better.
‘The game was under control and we were playing well and dominating the game. But when you concede there is a risk.
‘Yes, we’re disappointed but we have to take positive things.
‘I wan to see my players sad because they lost two points.
‘We are in a good direction. It’s important we show the people we can compete at this level.
‘[Cole Palmer] is an unbelievable player. He is so young but is so open to learn. He showed his personality is strong.’
