Pochettino Praises Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo, Admits Chelsea Project Needed Time to Grow

Former Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has spoken warmly about two of his former players — Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo — crediting their recent form under new manager Enzo Maresca as proof that the club’s long-term project is finally taking shape.

Speaking in an interview with talkSPORT, the Argentine tactician reflected on his single turbulent season at Stamford Bridge and the challenges he faced managing a youthful and inexperienced squad.

“We both decided to split. I think my first season was about to stop a little bit,” Pochettino said.
“The plan was to build with new players, with players that had no experience in the Premier League.
“And then players that need to adapt, like Caicedo or Enzo, who were very young with too much responsibility from the first season.
“I think after they got experience, they started to show their quality. They are performing very well now.”

Pochettino, who departed Chelsea at the end of the 2023–24 season, was often criticised for inconsistent performances despite overseeing a squad overhaul. However, his recent comments suggest that he always viewed Chelsea as a long-term rebuild, rather than a quick fix.

💭 Opinion: Pochettino’s Patience Is Proving Right — Chelsea’s Young Core Is Finally Maturing

It’s rare in modern football for a manager to speak positively about players after leaving a club, but Pochettino’s words reflect both honesty and vision. He was handed a squad bursting with potential yet lacking maturity — a combination that often tests even the best managers.

Today, under Maresca’s guidance, Chelsea seem to be finding their rhythm. Enzo Fernández’s confidence on the ball and Caicedo’s midfield dominance are finally translating into consistent performances — exactly what Pochettino envisioned.

In truth, his time at Stamford Bridge might have been too soon for results and too short for impact. But as Chelsea continue to grow into the team he helped assemble, Pochettino’s tenure might be remembered not as a failure, but as the foundation of a revival that’s now beginning to bloom. 🌱💫