Mauricio Pochettino could use a unique method to get the best out of Chelsea’s underperforming players when he takes charge at Stamford Bridge at the end of the season

Mauricio Pochettino will take charge of a bunch of lemons when he becomes the boss of Chelsea.

Mauricio Pochettino could use an unusual method when he, as expected, takes charge at Chelsea (Image: Getty Images)

Pochettino, who is set to take over from Frank Lampard in the role next month, keeps a tray of citrus fruits in his office to soak up negative energy. And if he brings in the same methods he used during his five years in charge at London rivals Spurs, things could soon turn sour. The Argentine, 51, said lemons had a key role to play in a club’s success.

“They are there to get rid of bad energy,” he once told talkSPORT. “Some people arrive with bad energy and that goes into the lemons. It’s like a barrier, a sponge. They take away all the negativity and you can see – it’s unbelievable.

“I change the lemons maybe every 10 days. But sometimes every three or four days because the lemons become bad, ugly.”

However, it will surely take more than fruit to turn around Chelsea’s fortunes following a disastrous season at Stamford Bridge, with the club having three managers and tumbling into the bottom half of the table, despite their colossal spending.

Mauricio Pochettino worked with lemons during his time at Tottenham and could do the same at Chelsea (Image: Getty Images)

The Blues have three Premier League fixtures remaining – against Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle – and want their new boss in place once the campaign is over.

Julian Nagelsmann was the initial favourite to replace Potter, but they turned to Lampard, who was in charge from July 2019 until January 2021 following a glittering playing career with the club, to see out the rest of the season.

Chelsea’s underperforming players are set for another new manager (Image: Offside via Getty Images)

Potter was jettisoned just seven months into a five-year contract, but Chelsea have also struggled under their former midfield general, who at one stage oversaw a six-game losing run in all competitions.

Pochettino guided Tottenham to the Champions League final in 2019, but has been out of the game since being shown the door by Paris St Germain last summer. If, as expected, he is appointed by Chelsea, he will inherit an expensively assembled but drastically under-performing squad who will not have European football next season.

SOURCE: dailystar.co.uk