'I could know Chelsea fate in one week' - Mauricio Pochettino comments on speculation

Pochettino is attempting to secure a return to European football for the Blues with a top-seven finish in the Premier League standings.

With three matches remaining, Chelsea are aware that they will secure that objective if they can defeat Nottingham Forest, Brighton & Hove Albion and Bournemouth in their closing triple-header.

However, away from the pitch, there has been constant speculation regarding Pochettino's future, a consequence of an inconsistent campaign with a new group of players.

Collecting seven points from games with Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United has undoubtedly helped Pochettino's cause, with co-owner Todd Boehly admitting earlier this week that he had been left impressed with the team's "beautiful football".

Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether Pochettino and the club's recruitment team can get on the same page, it having been suggested that the Argentine was not provided with any of his summer targets after his arrival.

What has Pochettino had to say?

In a press conference on Friday, Pochettino hinted that he had been left encouraged by Boehly's recent comments, and he expanded on his feeling on the current situation and constant talk outside of the broadcast section of his media briefing.

As quoted by the Evening Standard, the 52-year-old said: "We are so comfortable. In the way we are not comfortable is to put in doubt — like are you are talking — are going to be here or not here?

"First, it is not my decision because if the owners are thinking to change — yes, for sure in one week [at the end of the season] we will know.

"That's an instability with which we are comfortable working. We are going to be very strong in our efforts to help. It's true that in the last few months, like we were talking, that question has always come up. You need to kill the rumours; if that's not true, if not, the rumour is there for a different strategy.

"If you ask, is it affecting me? It is not affecting me. Is it affecting the people working with us? I think yes because, in the end, you can kill the rumour and sack me, and that's not a problem. It happens in a lot of clubs."

Could Pochettino's future hinge on the next three matches?

Theoretically, there is far more chance of Pochettino remaining at Chelsea if European football is secured than if they miss out on a top-seven finish.

That said, the issues behind the scenes appear to run deeper than performances on the pitch. Chelsea's players have shown in recent games that they are performing for their head coach and there are clear signs that things have started to gel at a time of a widespread injury crisis.

On the flip side, Chelsea have persisted with forming a team of staff that oversees recruitment, and Pochettino and those staff members may have to find some compromises going forward.

Albeit unlikely, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Pochettino could walk away, even if European football is secured. His stock is currently on an upward curve and it is generally accepted that he has worked wonders to keep the club in contention.

His preference will surely be to remain at the helm, though. If Chelsea can play in the Europa League or Europa Conference League, and get their finances in line with the regulations, this can be the dream job for Pochettino going forward.