Mauricio Pochettino says his players need to “behave like Chelsea” following a disappointing draw with ten-man Burnley on Saturday.
The Blues led twice in the game through Cole Palmer but Dara O’Shea’s late equaliser meant they left with just a point, despite struggling Burnley having seen Lorenz Assignon sent off before half-time.
After the game, Pochettino suggested his players need to play with more heart and claimed that his side did not show enough energy off the ball.
And speaking ahead of the game against Manchester United on Thursday, Pochettino insists his players need to show a higher work rate.
“We cannot be an exhibition team to play the game only to enjoy, we need to compete,” he said.
“We need to chase Burnley players like they are Manchester United or Real Madrid players.
“We were talking a lot after the [Burnley] game during the last few days. We are Chelsea but we need to behave like Chelsea. If we want to belong to a big club, it’s not an excuse to be a young player. We need to defend our badge and perform.”
Pochettino says Ben Chilwell is not yet able to return for the game against United because of illness, but fellow defenders Malo Gusto and Trevoh Chalobah are fit enough to be involved.
Forward Christopher Nkunku continues to remain sidelined, however, and the Chelsea boss insists he is unable to say when he could return.
“I don’t know. I don’t know. Still we don’t know. At the moment, we don’t know when it’s possible to start training with the team [again]. I have no information. He is recovering. It’s longer than we expected.”
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