Mauricio Pochettino: 'Winning EFL Cup is big target for Chelsea'

Mauricio Pochettino has acknowledged that he is placing priority on Chelsea trying to win this season's EFL Cup.

When Pochettino agreed to become Chelsea's new head coach in the summer, he was aware that the club were without a place in Europe.

That has led to more time on the training pitch, something that has been described as a blessing in disguise, yet it also brings extra emphasis on the domestic cup competitions.

In years gone by, Chelsea have largely used squad players in the EFL Cup, their focus instead on the Premier League, Europe and, to a lesser extent, the FA Cup.

However, the West Londoners require a route back into Europe and Pochettino would ideally like to go all the way in the EFL Cup to cement that spot.

The draw has not been kind to the Blues, who play host to in-form Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.

Remarkably, the Seagulls already sit 10 points clear of Chelsea in the top-flight table after just six matches, making Roberto De Zerbi's team the clear favourites to prevail in the capital.

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Nevertheless, speaking to reporters at a press conference, Pochettino admitted that he was motivated to guide Chelsea through to the last 16 and beyond.

The Argentine said: "It is one of our objectives in this season. We need to think this is one opportunity to win a trophy.

"Maybe the feelings after the defeat on Sunday are not the best but I feel it is about to move on to get the players the confidence and the trust.

"It is a different competition and we need to change our mood. Yesterday and today we were talking a lot - trying to breathe more confidence into the team - and I think we are going to be ready for tomorrow."

Chelsea head into the game having failed to score in their last three fixtures in the Premier League, with a goalless draw being posted at Bournemouth either side of 1-0 defeats at home to Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa.

Meanwhile, Brighton have recorded five wins from six games in the Premier League, emerging victorious in their last three league fixtures, although they did lose 3-2 to AEK Athens in the Europa League last week.