Gus Poyet has urged stuttering Chelsea to stick with Mauricio Pochettino for the long haul.

Poyet, 55, netted 49 goals in 145 games for the Blues between 1997 and 2001 before joining Tottenham, who host their London rivals in a Premier League showdown this evening.

Ex-Spurs boss Pochettino's start to life at Stamford Bridge has not been plain sailing, with his revamped squad claiming just 12 points from their opening 10 games.

But Poyet believes his fellow South American is crucial to the Blues' hopes of returning to the top four. 

Speaking to LiveScore on behalf of NJ Bet, the Greece manager said: "I think it will depend 100% on the patience they have with the project.

"If they have patience with Pochettino and let him build, even if it doesn't go great, then probably [things will improve].

"But if they keep changing [the manager], just trying to find the magic wand, it's going to be difficult."

Poyet also expressed sympathy for the 51-year-old tactician over the length of deals handed to many of Chelsea's summer signings.

The Uruguayan added: "They are human beings. Some of those players will say, 'It doesn't matter how long is in my contract, this next aim is the most important of my life'.

"But there are others, without blaming them, who will naturally say, 'I've got a six-year contract now, so I'm OK'.

"You can see a player and like them but you need to know how the player is going to take that long-term contract, what it means to him and his family.

"It's impossible to have 10 players with different personalities who all deal with it the same, playing the same from one week to the next."

Spurred on

Having also enjoyed spells as a player and coach with Tottenham, Poyet is familiar with how both clubs work.

And the ex-midfielder has been hugely impressed by Ange Postecoglou's side, who will move back to the top of the table with a win. 

Poyet said: "In the pre-season games, I was in love with the offensive side of the game but a bit worried about them defensively.

"But it's working perfectly. This start is like Arsenal last season, or Leicester a few years ago. They keep winning.

"It's consistency and you have to go through 10 games first, then through 20, then through 30. It's not easy.

"You can find momentum and anything can happen. But from now until Christmas is going to be key to see if they can keep this consistency."

Given Chelsea's patchy form, Spurs are favourites to claim three points at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 

Yet Poyet is not expecting it to be a straightforward outing for the hosts.

He added: "I think Chelsea are capable of getting a result, which could change their season. 

"But if they don't win, you'll see conversations about two teams heading in different directions and things will be tough because of Chelsea's league position.

"When the next game is a derby, you need to put it right, so this is a massive game where you need characters and leaders to stand up and be counted."

Gus Poyet was speaking to LiveScore on behalf of NJ Bet