The Blues have struggled on that front in our two most recent away games, at St James’ Park and Old Trafford. We were duly punished for starting sluggishly, and though we managed to equalise on both occasions, the tone was set.

Everton come into today’s game on the back of consecutive victories without conceding. Those wins followed the news the Toffees were handed a ten-point deduction for financial irregularities, and Pochettino knows the power a siege mentality can have.

‘It is difficult to recreate Everton’s situation and to feel the same as them,’ he said.

‘That is natural and spontaneous. For us only what I want is to have the fire inside us because we want to play for the club, for ourselves, and for our fans.

‘That was so clear against Brighton, in how we started the game and how we fought with 10 men. That is the way we want to keep it.

‘We need the desire and the fight, otherwise we are going to suffer. The players and the coaching staff share the responsibility for that. It is how we propose the strategies, and how if you are a Chelsea player, you have to have the fight. If not, you are going to struggle. We need to show we care and we are going be ready to fight.

‘Football is many things but you have to start with this,’ Pochettino continued.

‘We started too flatly against Newcastle and Manchester United. We are a young team, but come on. Improving your build-up or your positioning can be improved with time, but fighting and running is non-negotiable.’