'Why the question?' - Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino bites back at ITV reporter after Thiago Silva axed

'Why the question?' - Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino bites back at ITV reporter after Thiago Silva axed

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Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 07/02/2024

- 19:49

Updated: 07/02/2024

- 21:57

The Argentine was not happy with the line of questioning ahead of Wednesday's FA Cup tie

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino was left angry at a reporter after he was questioned over his decision to drop Thiago Silva.

Silva was left out of the Chelsea starting XI for the FA Cup fourth-round replay against Aston Villa on Wednesday.


The Brazilian's wife appeared to call for Pochettino to be sacked following Sunday's 4-2 Premier League loss to Wolves.

Silva has since spoken to his head coach in a private meeting, while the defender's his wife has also issued an apology on social media.

But Silva was only named among the substitutes for the trip to Villa Park.

ITV reporter Gabriel Clarke got on the wrong side of Pochettino when he asked him why.

Clarke said: "Mauricio, good to see you. First of all your team news, you've made some changes. Why no Thiago Silva?"

To which Pochettino responded: "Why the question?"

Clarke repeated his question, saying: "Why aren't you selecting Thiago Silva tonight?"

Pochettino responded by insisting he made a 'professional' decision, admitting he was trying to stay 'calm' during the interview.

He said: "There are other players also. I am professional, a professional coach, I always pick my players because of performance and balance.

"And I understand the question but I want to be calm because I need to be professional, I'm always professional, I'm going to make a decision because of the professional side."

Clarke pushed again, replying: "It's based on that and nothing else?"

To which Pochettino said: "My answer was clear, no?"

Pochettino is under increasing pressure for his job following a poor run of results, the latest being the defeat to Wolves.

Silva's wife Belle wrote on X after the match: "It’s time to change. If you wait any longer it will be too late."

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Thiago Silva

Thiago Silva dropped to the bench for Chelsea's match at Aston Villa

Getty

Pochettino revealed on Tuesday that he had spoken with the former Paris Saint-Germain captain but wouldn't disclose what was said.

"He came today to talk with me," Pochettino began.

"I am not going to talk in the way we were talking. The important thing is he came and wanted to talk with me.

"He knows me after more than 10 years, who I am, we are a very strong coaching staff and the way we operate.

"Of course he came to talk. We talked. It was private. And that's it."

Belle Silva posted an apology for her post on Wednesday morning.

She wrote: "I'm sorry that my personal outburst as a passionate Chelsea fan has caused such an impact. I'm passionate about the team,

"I thrive on victories and I'm saddened by defeats. We all want the same thing, a winning team, come on Chelsea!!"

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