Is Mauricio Pochettino facing the sack? Why Chelsea boss' job is safe for the time being despite Middlesbrough humiliation - explained

Chelsea have endured a disappointing start to the campaign, most recently losing to Championship side Middlesbrough in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie. Meanwhile, the Blues are currently 10th in the Premier League having won just eight of their 20 matches in the English top flight, sparking speculation about Pochettino's future despite the Argentine only being appointed in the summer.

Pochettino's job is not under threat yet, however, as the team still have a reasonable chance of qualifying for European football next season, The Telegraph reports. Despite their position in the league table, they are only three points adrift of seventh-placed Brighton and a further three behind West Ham, who are sixth. Furthermore, they are still in with a chance of winning the FA Cup, which would book them a place in the Europa League. They could also qualify for the Europa Conference League by overturning their deficit against Middlesbrough and going on to win the Carabao Cup.

Pochettino took over as Chelsea boss ahead of the new season with the objective of qualifying for a place in one of Europe's competitions next term. Despite spending big over recent transfer windows, the team are still behind their expectations.

It seems it is Europe or bust, then, for Pochettino in the second half of the campaign. The Stamford Bridge team will host Fulham in a London derby in the Premier League on Saturday before they welcome Middlesbrough for the second leg of their Carabao Cup tie.