Mauricio Pochettino keen to remain at Chelsea

Mauricio Pochettino said he is planning for next season at Chelsea despite uncertainty surrounding his position, as he reiterated his desire to stay and forge an emotional bond with supporters.

Ahead of last weekend's 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest, the 52-year-old – who is set to meet with the owners and sporting directors to assess the team’s progress after their final Premier League game – appeared to suggest he could walk away from Stamford Bridge at the end of the campaign.

Only the division’s top three have collected more points than Pochettino’s side since they were beaten by Wolves on Christmas Eve, a run which has thrust them into contention to qualify for next season’s Europa League.

Asked about his future beyond the end of the season, he said: "We are planning. We are working. We cannot take some comment from my side [ahead of the Forest game] in a negative way. Always I try to be positive and try to translate my feelings to the people.

"I never said I’m not thinking in the future. Already the plan is there to start pre-season. In the end, it’s not in my hands to be here or not to be here."

The Argentinian has come under fire from sections of supporters during the season as the team has taken time to settle and find form, but he insisted he intends to win over any remaining doubters.

"We are not fake people," he said. "We are not going to say we love something when we still don’t have an emotional link. It’s easy for me to arrive and after the first game start to kiss the badge. I respect the people that can do this, but it’s not my nature. I want to create real feelings."

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