'We need to learn' - Mauricio Pochettino warns wasteful Chelsea players they must be more clinical after losing 2-1 to Wolves

Chelsea suffered their eighth Premier League loss of the season with a 2-1 defeat at Wolves on Christmas Eve. Manager Pochettino rued his side's profligacy in front of goal and has called on his young, inexperienced team to learn from this setback and kick on going forward.

He said after the match: "Of course, we feel very disappointed. I think we deserve much more than we got but we cannot hide from the fact that in a competition as strong as the Premier League, if you are not clinical then you cannot complain [at the result].

"We created a lot of chances in the first half but did not score. We dominated the possession and didn’t allow a single shot on target from Wolves in the first half, so I think we should have gone in at half-time with a different score. In the second half, we conceded a few corners and then allowed Wolves to take the lead. They were more clinical and that is why the result is as it is."

Pochettino added: "We’ve spoken a lot, since the start of the season, and we know we are a young team. Some of these players are playing in the Premier League for the first time and they need to gain confidence playing at this level. They need to adapt to play at this level and, of course, it is about confidence and belief in themselves. We are a young team that needs to learn from games like this. We know we can still improve and that is something we need to work on."

Chelsea have spent more than £1 billion since Todd Boehly took over the club 18 months ago and yet it seems they are no closer to clicking as a team. This latest Premier League loss was their 19th of 2023 - the joint worst in the division with Fulham, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest. They need to get results as soon as possible, else things could really unravel.

Chelsea could yet finish the year in eighth place if they beat Crystal Palace on Boxing Day at Stamford Bridge and then Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on December 30. However, they need Brighton and Manchester United to not win any of their remaining games in 2023 to leapfrog them in the table.