Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has slammed his players' hangers-on in a furious rant over his handling of Romeo Lavia and Christopher Nkunku.

Pochettino has reported both players are now fit to play after initial preseason injuries.

He said, He said: "You need to understand, the players need to understand that that is not a charity thing; that we are going to play football, we need to win.

"Sometimes the professionals feel so disappointed because they want to play. It's difficult to understand.

"The environment of the player, also, they say they are disappointed because Nkunku didn't play against Sheffield United.

"I am disappointed to have a player that should be an important player for us is not helping the team.

"If he didn't play, it is not because we don't believe in him, or in this case Lavia.

"It is because there are many other players fit and training in six months and in that moment maybe we need to decide, to make an impact with players that are more ready than these guys."

He added: "We are not talking about names, or suppose he is going to be better than one [player]. We are talking about today, who is ready to compete and provide what we are expecting for the team.

"Maybe I am talking too much. But it's true. But come on, it's annoying me. Not you [the journalists]. The people around the player, 'Oh I wanted to play. I am disappointed'. Oh, come on. I am disappointed.

"The club is disappointed they are investing big to play, to score goals and when you are not scoring goals, okay we pay the salary every month if you don't play or you are injured.

"Who suffered for us? The coaches. Who suffered for the club? It's always [this]. No, come on. It's to get the right balance in this business. It's so important."