The Blues welcome the Blades to Stamford Bridge looking for a swift return to winning ways, although Pochettino will be without the services of a number of players due to injury. Reece James, Robert Sanchez and Marc Cucurella the latest names to be added to our growing list of absentees.

Adding further insight to his side’s current injury woes, Pochettino revealed that they will soon know how best to proceed with certain players and their recovery - specifically James and whether or not the skipper will undergo surgery.

‘On Monday we will know more about the next steps for Reece and how we will proceed – whether it’s necessary or not [to have surgery],’ the head coach said.

‘We are all thinking about how we will approach the situation and maybe find a different solution. It’s not a nice situation because I know how he and his family are suffering. We need to settle the basics of how he will proceed in his recovery. On Monday, we will see how the situation will be and how to proceed.

‘Also, for us, Nkunku is like a new signing because we only used him in pre-season. Romeo Lavia may be fit in one week or ten days, but there are still at least 10 players who haven’t made their debuts yet this season. We have two, three, or four players who haven’t made their debuts with us and they may be key players for us.

‘For me, the squad is very good. The problem is, and it’s not an excuse, but if we have a fit squad and we have everyone fighting for their place, then the level is above the level where we are at the moment. If I have all my centre-backs fighting for two places, then it’s completely different.’

Despite the disruptions to the project, the boss is heavily focused on achieving success at Chelsea and is hopeful that, in time, his squad’s hard work will prove successful.

‘The project is clear,’ he added.

‘All the input that we have received from the beginning is trust in the work that we are doing. Unfortunately, we have received too many hits against us, but even with the situation we are seeing some positives. It is only a matter of time.

‘If you are going to build a house then you know you need to take some risks and you will need more time. If you want to buy a new house, you go to the market, look at the best house already finished and then choose. That’s the metaphor that can be used in this type of situation.

‘With this type of project and with young players, sometimes you need some luck. There are always ups and downs.

‘Step by step we will arrive. In this type of project, four or five months is nothing. The situation will be fixed.’