Pochettino’s bonding BBQ ruined by rain with Chelsea players banned from drinking booze and watched by nutritionists

MAURICIO POCHETTINO hosted a BBQ for his Chelsea stars on Friday in the hope it will help them grill Leicester in the FA Cup.

But the players were not allowed to scoff chargrilled treats with no fat, chips or booze – and all under the watchful eyes of the club’s strict dieticians.

GettyMauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea BBQ was ruined by rainy weather[/caption]

GettyHe had hoped to use the event as a bonding session for his players[/caption]

GettyChelsea’s stars were unable to drink booze and closely watched by nutritionists[/caption]

It also poured with rain for much of the afternoon but head coach Pochettino insists the team-bonding session is a key ingredient in making his squad a stronger unit.

Speaking before the event, Pochettino said: “The idea is to share between the players and the staff. The staff are also invited.

“I think we are going to be 120, 130 people. The most important is that the players understand what it means to be Chelsea players.

“But we have to be responsible. I propose a BBQ but then there are two nutritionists who will control what they are going to eat.

“We drink water, orange juice, No alcohol, not to eat too much, eat protein. Green salad, no fries.

“We will be all together. Of course having a barbecue doesn’t mean that afterwards we are going to score goals but of course it is about communication, feeling better.

“So that this is not only a training ground where you come to work. It’s home and we want to create a good feeling between everyone. To get people to fight for the same thing – to win.”

Specialist sausages and succulent cuts of beef were on the menu for the lunch served after training under a giant marquee at Chelsea’s Surrey training ground.

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Pochettino says it is part of his masterplan to gel his squad of unknowns and untried rookies into a band of brothers.

He said: “We use different strategies. All the players are different. They come from different countries from different backgrounds, from different cultures.

“Paying attention to that is a big job. We analyse their profiles Not only their physical profiles but their characters. It is so important.”

Pochettino also says he welcomes the appointment of a set-piece coach this summer even though he seemed to give a different point of view some time ago.

Brentford’s Bernardo Cueva is set to join the growing band of coaches at the club as part of a wider strategy led from the boardroom.

Pochettino said: “That is one area they want to reinforce, to move on, to challenge the people that are here.

“We cannot go against the things that can help us to be better and to maybe help us to win games.

“That is the idea of the owner, that is the idea of the sporting directors and we are very supportive.”

X/ @ParrillasUKSpecialist sausages and succulent cuts of beef were on the menu[/caption]