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Mauricio Pochettino shows true colours with Tottenham Premier League final day admission

Mauricio Pochettino of Chelsea talks to the media
Mauricio Pochettino of Chelsea talks to the media -Credit:Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC


Mauricio Pochettino has admitted he is not wishing for a Tottenham Hotspur defeat this weekend as Chelsea look to leapfrog his former side in the Premier League table.

The Blues currently sit sixth in the league after a run of four successive victories, which has moved Pochettino's men above both Newcastle United and Manchester United with only one match remaining against Bournemouth.

Chelsea are set to be playing Europa Conference League football next season, should they finish sixth, but would be entered in the Europa League by default if Manchester City beat United in next weekend's FA Cup final.

Should Chelsea wish to take care of matters themselves and be playing in next season's Europa League, they must finish fifth in the table and overtake Spurs.

The Lilywhites currently lead the Blues by three points, though have an inferior goal difference, ahead of their final-day meeting with Sheffield United. A Tottenham loss and victory at Stamford Bridge would see Chelsea move into fifth place and confirm Europa League football.

Most Chelsea supporters will therefore be hoping for a Sheffield United win, though Pochettino does not share this sentiment due to his past connections with Spurs. Asked if he wants his former employers to lose, the Argentine replied: "Not really. I never wish bad things to the club. We need to do our job."

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Spurs will be eager to end their campaign on a high after suffering a 2-0 defeat to City on Tuesday evening, which ended with Ange Postecoglou taking aim at his own supporters for placing too much focus on Arsenal.

Apologising for his post-match comments at his press conference today, the Australian remarked: "Now like I said, the last game I don't understand and I hold my hands up I got it wrong. I sat here the day before and I mocked the whole thing because I really didn't believe that was the case. But if that's how people feel and again I can't because I am not a Spurs supporter. They are and this is their football club. They are the custodians, not me."