'Not fair' to judge Chelsea due to injury problems, says Pochettino

London: Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino said it is unfair to make judgements on his disappointing debut season with the club due to the Blues injury...

London: Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino said it is unfair to make judgements on his disappointing debut season with the club due to the Blues' injury problems.

Pochettino could be without 11 first team players for Monday's visit of Everton as the west Londoners aim to make a late push to qualify for European football next season.

Chelsea are ninth in the Premier League but just five points adrift of sixth-placed Manchester United with a game in hand.

Even a return to Europe next season in the Europa League or Europa Conference League is scant return for over £1 billion ($1.3 billion) invested by the club's owners over the past two years on new players.

Pochettino criticised his young squad for not being "mature enough" after they threw away two points at bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United last weekend by conceding a stoppage time equaliser.