Mauricio Pochettino 'at risk of sack if Chelsea miss out on Europe'

The former Tottenham Hotspur boss made the move to Stamford Bridge in the summer, aiming to lift the Blues following their worst league performance this century.

Under a mixture of Graham Potter and Frank Lampard, Chelsea finished 12th in the Premier League in 2022-23, representing their lowest placement since 1994.

Including the arrival of a new head coach, the Blues also recruited high-profile names such as Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia for their playing squad ahead of this campaign.

According to The Telegraph, Chelsea have no immediate plans to dismiss Pochettino following a faltering first half of the 2023-24 season.

However, it is understood that the Blues are willing to depart ways with the Argentine should he fail to deliver European qualification for the West Londoners.

Pochettino's men currently occupy 10th in the Premier League standings after 20 games, three points behind Brighton & Hove Albion in seventh - the position that was enough to secure Europa Conference League football last term.

Chelsea also have two other potential avenues to compete on the continental stage during 2024-25, with the most clear of which being through lifting the EFL Cup.

The Blues have already made it to the last four of the competition but must overturn a one-goal deficit against Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough on January 23 to reach the final at Wembley.

Should the West Londoners make it past second-tier Boro, a showpiece victory over either Liverpool or Fulham would seal a spot in the playoff round of the Europa Conference League.

A ninth FA Cup success would also see Pochettino and Chelsea into Europe, with the winners of that competition earning a place in the group stage of the Europa League.

Goals from Armando Broja, Thiago Silva, Raheem Sterling and Enzo Fernandez allowed the Blues to ease past Preston North End in the third round last weekend, however a tricky-looking tie against Aston Villa awaits on January 27.

Pochettino is targeting attacking reinforcements in January to boost his side's chances of European qualification, with the 51-year-old reportedly keen on Roma striker and compatriot Paulo Dybala.

Chelsea could leapfrog Newcastle United, Manchester United and Brighton into seventh with a victory over Marco Silva's Cottagers at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.