‘We have practised’ - Pochettino claims Chelsea are ready for penalties against Man City

Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has disclosed that the Blues are ready to take penalties if it gets that far against Manchester City in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final. 

The West London club face Pep Guardiola’s men, keen to record a victory over the Cityzens for the first time since the 2021 Champions League final under Thomas Tuchel. Chelsea can find encouragement in the pair of Premier League draws against last season’s treble winners — 4-4 and 1-1 — giving them motivation to beat the competition’s holders. 

Man City suffered a disappointing penalty shootout exit to Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday, and Pochettino revealed his Chelsea side are prepared to take penalties if they push the favourites that far. 

‘We are ready if it goes to extra time or penalties, but then penalties are penalties,” said the Chelsea head coach. “Look what happened in different competitions over the last few days, you never know. We have practised, and we have a clear idea, but in the end, it is difficult to guess what is going to happen. But we are ready.”

Chelsea are unbeaten in all competitions since their last trip to Wembley Stadium in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool, a game decided by a late Virgil van Dijk header in extra time. 

While the Blues have been far from convincing in that eight-game undefeated sequence, Pochettino hopes their recent 6-0 win over Everton — the London side’s first clean sheet since January 26 against Aston Villa — gives the eight-time FA Cup winners defensive assuredness before taking on the 2023 domestic cup champions. 

Chelsea’s next match takes them to Premier League-contending Arsenal on April 23.