LONDON -- Mauricio Pochettino said on Thursday that he "completely understands" the anger directed towards him from some of the Chelsea fans in attendance during the team's 2-2 draw with Brentford and admitted that his squad may contain too many young players.
A section of the Chelsea fans vented their frustration at the team's disappointing performances this season towards the club's owners and Pochettino himself during the Brentford game, while supporters also chanted the names of former owner Roman Abramovich and former manager Jose Mourinho.
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"We completely understand the situation and of course the frustration and we need to accept the criticism and we need to accept in the way that they [the fans] behave," Pochettino told a news conference.
"That is the most important thing is to accept. We need to try to improve in the way that we play and get results and try to change this feeling. Of course, we need our fans and hope Monday [against Newcastle] the fans will be great and be behind us and helping the team during 90 minutes to win the game. That is so, so important for our players.
The Chelsea head coach also said that he would perhaps have behaved the same way as the supporters if he was in their position.
"We need to accept that this is football, they're frustrated and maybe if I was a fan and I was in the stands, I [would] behave the same as them because it's Chelsea, because we are not matching the expectation and that is why they react in this way." Pochettino said.
"We need to accept and yes we need to be responsible of our performance and yes we need to try, we need to work really hard to try to improve and win games [which] is why they behave in this way. And that is what we need to create a better relationship with our fans."
Chelsea, who are 11th in the Premier League table, have spent more than £1 billion ($1.28bn) on new players since the club's new owners took over in 2022, with an emphasis on investing heavily in young talent.
Asked whether Chelsea's squad contains too many inexperienced players and if this has affected results this season, Pochettino said: "Maybe, yes [that could be the issue].
"People that want to believe in this, OK... Look, I was explaining from the beginning of the season what was going on here, trying to be transparent. I'm not going to try and convince people and justify the result."
Earlier on Thursday, Chelsea's parent company BlueCo 22 announced net losses of £653 million ($832.71m) after tax for the March 2022 to June 2023 period, while the club suffered £90.1m in losses before tax, company filings showed.
The consortium BlueCo, led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, purchased the west London club in 2022 and also reached an agreement to become shareholders of French club Strasbourg in 2023.
While Chelsea increased matchday and commercial revenue across the 15-month period, these rises were offset by decreased revenue from broadcast rights as a result of their 12th place Premier League finish last season as well as third round cup exits.
Asked whether the financial results would have an impact on his work or the club's activity in the transfer market, Pochettino said: "I don't know because I need also to be informed.
"Until today, we didn't talk about that and the club today announced the financial [results]. For sure, this afternoon or tomorrow, we will talk and I will be informed. I don't know what is going to happen."
There was also a fresh injury blow to Pochettino's team ahead of Monday's match as Ben Chilwell joined Chelsea's lengthy list of absentees with a knee issue, while Conor Gallagher is a doubt after missing training with illness.
"We need to wait until he [Chilwell] sees the specialist, Pochettino said. "I cannot go in advance. I hope it's not a big issue but after eight or nine months here at the club, I prefer to be cautious and prefer to wait."
Information from Reuters contributed to this report