Mauricio Pochettino admits he 'does not feel the love' from Chelsea fans - 'We need to build our relationship'

Mauricio Pochettino has admitted he doesn't "feel the love" from Chelsea fans after a 2-2 draw with Brentford.

The Blues are currently 11th in the Premier League after points were shared at the Gtech Community Stadium, with the away fans making their thoughts about the situation clear during the match.

Brentford had been leading against Chelsea after goals from Mads Roerslev and Yoane Wissa cancelled out Nicolas Jackson’s opener.

At this point, Chelsea fans chanted against Pochettino and co-owner Todd Boehly, and sang the name of former manager Jose Mourinho.

Axel Disasi’s late equaliser for Chelsea did little to appease the supporters, with Pochettino queried about their reaction in his post-match press conference.

"No, I am not worried," he said. "We need to accept. I told you, I think someone asked me do you feel the love from the fans? No. We need to build our relationship between the coaching staff, the coach and the fans.

"You build relationships by winning games. But at the moment, the expectation, we cannot match the expectation. We are not going to ask for love. I don't ask for nothing.

"I am going to continue to work and try to change this situation and change, winning games, we now have one week before Newcastle."

The pressure on Pochettino intensified after Chelsea’s lacklustre performance in extra-time in last weekend’s Carabao Cup final against Liverpool, followed by a dramatic 3-2 win against Leeds United in the FA Cup fifth round.

"We need to manage the reality," Pochettino said. "We are working really, really hard to try and win games. The team is fighting.

"I think in six days, we played 120 minutes on Sunday, Wednesday was another tough game, then some decisions because of injuries or some circumstances.

"We tried to find different ways to play. But if that doesn't work and the fans are disappointed with that, I need to respect their opinions."

With 12 games left to play, it is becoming increasingly unlikely that Chelsea will be qualify for Europe next season, but Pochettino insisted he would not be giving up.

"If [the fans] did what they did, I think it is a frustration," he said. "We need to understand that. I am fighting to try and provide the team the tools to work, improve and play in the best way, score goals and win games.

"If that is not possible, today is my 52nd birthday, I know very well this business. I am not going to give up, I am going to fight. I am ready to fight again tomorrow and get ready for the next game. Yes, we are going to keep going."

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