ADRIAN KAJUMBA: Pochettino's young Blues must learn to score AND win

ADRIAN KAJUMBA: Chelsea were the better side but failed to win again – Mauricio Pochettino’s young Blues have to learn how to score and win and that may require MORE money

• Chelsea slumped to a 3-1 defeat against West Ham despite strong showings 
• PLAYER RATINGS: Alphonse Areola shone in goal but Caicedo had horror debut
• WATCH: ‘It’s All Kicking Off’ – Episode 1 – Mail Sport’s brand new football show 

The usual wisdom is that playing badly and still winning is something to take encouragement from, a sign of a good team.

Mauricio Pochettino is seeing things differently following the opening week of this season when the opposite has happened for Chelsea.

He said: ‘If we played bad and were winning games then I think we should be more worried. I think it’s only a matter of time then we will find a way to perform and to win.

‘I prefer to start in this way; showing good performance, good attitude because we dominate Liverpool and West Ham. But I think the attitude is there. I think for the future, with the players and talent we have in the squad, it’s only time to find the right balance, score goals and win games.’

Chelsea have indeed been the dominant side in their first two Premier League matches under Pochettino – having 65 per cent of the ball against Liverpool and even more – 77 per cent – at West Ham.

Mauricio Pochettino’s headache continues as the Blues failed to find a first win on Sunday

Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat to West Ham came against the backdrop of a number of fine spells for the west London side

A debut to forget for Moises Caicedo (centre) and sloppy defending handed the Irons the tie

It was notable that victorious West Ham manager David Moyes was happy to admit how good Chelsea were not just against his side but Liverpool on the opening weekend too.

But their opponents have efficiently taken the opportunities handed to them to leave Pochettino still looking for his opening win.

Liverpool scored with their one shot on target and Stamford Bridge and another one also ended up in their goal but Mohamed Salah’s strike was ruled out for offside.

Pochettino was frustrated that warnings about their opponents’ set-piece prowess were not taken on board, allowing West Ham to score their opener from a corner.

Sloppy defending in not the most dangerous of situations mainly from Axel Disasi and then debutant Moises Caicedo preceded West Ham’s final two goals.

With this Chelsea group a young one – just three of their 20-man squad being 26 or over – it was natural to wonder if West Ham’s superior nous helped them handle the situation better, survive the sticky periods and deal with the emotion and physicality of a London derby.

Pochettino dismissed the idea, preferring to reiterate the excitement about the squad they are building. ‘The defeat for sure is going to make us stronger,’ he insisted.

While they look to eradicate those costly moments from their game, what they could do with finding a solution to as soon as possible is their own lack of cutting edge.

Opportunities like the penalty Enzo Fernandez saw saved cannot be wasted.

Raheem Sterling was sharp but his and Nicolas Jackson’s positive work was not converted into goals at West Ham.

For all their possession they had just one shot on target in the second half.

That was while playing against 10 men for just under 30 minutes too.

For all the money spent Chelsea remain light in attack, admittedly not helped by a knee injury to Christopher Nkunku who, in pre-season, looked capable of making a major impact.

Raheem Sterling was a strong presence for Chelsea but did not do enough to drag them up

Nicolas Jackson was similarly bright with a number of feisty runs but failed to find the net

The absence of summer signing Christopher Nkunku (right) is beginning to pinch in London

He won’t be able to help for a number of months while another option, Armando Broja, is not yet ready but nearing a return to fitness after his knee injury and expected to be in position to step up his comeback either behind closed doors or with Chelsea’s under-21s soon.

So it will be to the transfer market that Chelsea turn again for a more immediately available option.

Pochettino is, though, adamant there is not a psychological issue when it comes to scoring that his players have to overcome too, following their goal-shy campaign last season.

He said: ‘These are new players. The players are not feeling what’s happened in the last few years here. It’s about to believe. Players like Nico Jackson, for sure he is going to score because he has amazing quality. I don’t believe that (defeat at West Ham) has happened because of what happened last season.’

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