Mauricio Pochettino does not think Newcastle United have given the Premier League a ‘big seven’. In fact, he does not even believe in the ‘big six’ anymore.
The Chelsea manager has been speaking to the media ahead of his side’s game against the Magpies, with the two sides set to meet at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the Premier League Super Series.
It is a tough test for Newcastle, who are currently unbeaten after three pre-season games. Their most recent was their toughest test, with Eddie Howe’s side drawing 3-3 with Aston Villa, who are another emerging force in the Premier League.
As for Chelsea, it is difficult to know what to expect. They have got such a talented squad and now have the right type of manager, but they were simply so poor last year. The Blues finished down in 12th, while Newcastle were fourth.
It has led to some suggestions that the traditional ‘big six’ should now be stretched to a ‘big seven’ to include Newcastle, but Pochettino disagrees.
Mauricio Pochettino no longer believes in the ‘big six’
Pochettino has spoke to the media ahead of the game against Newcastle, and was asked if the Magpies finishing in the top four means the Premier League now has a ‘big seven’.
“Premier League is the big 20,” he said.
“Every team in the Premier League is strong, it is very competitive. Now it’s changed a little bit the perception. It’s true in the past there were different teams there, but this is the most competitive league in the world.
“I think it’s unfair now to say top six, top seven, and which teams you put there. In the table last season, Chelsea were out of the top six.
“It’s a really competitive league and now I think we have to stop talking about the top four, six or seven.”
Newcastle and more spoil the party
When Pochettino says that he does not think Newcastle have made it a ‘big seven’ in the Premier League, he is not being disrespectful to Howe’s side.
Instead, he is being mindful of the other emerging forces. While the Magpies did brilliantly last season, so did Aston Villa and Brighton.
We are the three clubs who are looking to challenge the status quo in English football, and it will be interesting to see how we all do in the 2023/24 campaign.
It might all depend on how the bigger sides who struggled last season respond. The likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham are under no illusions that they need to perform much better.
But there is so much quality in the Premier League right now that there is no longer a definitive ‘big six’. For Newcastle, it is going to be very challenging to replicate what we achieved last season.
That is why pre-season is so important, which continues tonight against Chelsea.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
