'Normal the energy is down' - Mauricio Pochettino takes aim at Graham Potter & Frank Lampard Chelsea regimes as he explains flat Stamford Bridge atmosphere

Stamford Bridge has often been intimidating for visiting teams due to the vociferous support and also the fact that the pitch is close to the front row of fans. However, the atmosphere generated at the stadium in recent months has drawn criticism, and Pochettino believes the disconnect between players and supporters stems from the lack of positive results at home in the past 18 months, especially since Thomas Tuchel was replaced by Graham Potter in September 2022.

Speaking to reporters, Pochettino said: "We have been here for six months and ­sometimes for us it is difficult to ­compare. We are getting better results now. But the disappointment for the fans is from last season. It is a disappointment for a long period. But in how we feel, Stamford Bridge is very good. We feel so ­disappointed from last season because if you lose so many games at home it is normal for the energy to be down.

"In a few periods in some games, like Brentford or Nottingham Forest, the energy was really down because the team didn’t engage the fans. That is our mistake. But in the rest of the games – Arsenal, Man City, Brighton, Liverpool – I think the fans were really good."

Chelsea are currently on an eight-match unbeaten streak at home and the upcoming Carabao Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough provides an opportunity to rejuvenate the fans and showcase the team's commitment. They are trailing by a goal after the first leg and Pochettino believes that a positive start could spur the Chelsea crowd to get behind their team more fervently.

“If tomorrow we play well from the beginning and show the right ­attitude the fans are going to be behind us," he said. "We have very good fans. They want to win because the history of Chelsea is to win."

The Chelsea players faced flak from the travelling fans after they went straight into the tunnel without applauding their supporters at the Riverside Stadium in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final tie. Although Pochettino apologised on behalf of the team, he defended his players by stating that: "I can understand the players and also the fans. The players were so disappointed. So upset that you don’t want to think too much and you want to go into the dressing room and go home because you are really angry. But we need to recognise the effort of our fans. We need to apolo­gise to our fans."

Chelsea could reach their first final since the Todd ­Boehly‑Clearlake Capital ­takeover if they can overturn the slender deficit and snatch a victory over Boro on Tuesday evening. They are likely to be boosted with the return of Ben Chilwell at left-back but Christopher Nkunku and Malo Gusto continue to remain sidelined with their respective hip and muscle injuries.