Mauricio Pochettino calls on Chelsea players to ‘die for the badge’ as he inspires fans’ first words

Mauricio Pochettino may have been a manager at Tottenham, but getting Chelsea fans involved is high on his list of priorities.

The Argentine was announced as Blues boss just over a month ago and arrives with a wealth of experience in European football to his name.

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Many Chelsea fans may have had their reservations about such a fixture given his links to rivals Spurs.

However, in the first part of his debut interview, Pochettino claimed the Blues, who finished a disappointing 12th in the Premier League last season, are the greatest English team of the past 15 years.

Such a statement was music to the ears of his new West London fans at the expense of his former club, and his strong message to his new players will only further impress the Blues faithful.

Speaking about the importance of having a strong relationship with the supporters, he said: “I know very well that we have to build that relationship. You know, our past is our past.

“We respect our past and we are so proud of our past, but now is the time to build with a new club with our new fans, with different fans who behave, of course, and are different from other clubs.

“And of course it’s also our responsibility to build a very good relationship with our new fans.

“I hope that we can create, as soon as possible, this good feeling, but I know very well that we will create this good feeling on the signal that the team must send to them.

“We have to be, you know, a team that shows unity, that cares about the club, cares about the fans, that we’re going to fight until the end for the badge.

“And that’s the most important thing, the fans have to feel that all the players are going to be involved in the game, they’re going to die for the club. That’s the most important thing to create after that good feeling, and that’s sure we’re going to be proud of each other.”

In a final message to fans, he added: “We are so excited. We can only promise to work hard and defend this jersey until the end and never give up.”

“And of course we will try to do everything to make them proud and to show that we really, really care.

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“That’s what we can promise, that will be the consequence of our work, our actions and how we make the decisions for the best for the club.”