Mauricio Pochettino is not expecting a busy end to the January transfer window for Chelsea, though he believes the Blues would be in a stronger position if they had a natural goalscorer in their ranks.
Chelsea have spent over £1billion on players under the Todd Boehly regime but have endured an inconsistent first campaign under Pochettino, sitting ninth in the Premier League table.
The January transfer window has been a quiet one across the Premier League, with clubs tightening the purse strings to avoid breaching the competition’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Read our other football news stories here:
Pochettino: Klopp news won’t change anything for Liverpool
Six arrests made after unrest mars Black Country derby
Crystal Palace snap up Munoz
Chelsea were believed to be targeting a striker in the build-up to the window, but Pochettino is not expecting much movement – either in or out – before Thursday’s deadline.
Asked whether he was excited about transfer deadline day on Tuesday, Pochettino said: “No. I’m excited for the game against Liverpool tomorrow.
“I’m not excited for Thursday, I don’t think many things are going to happen. I think we’re going to be quiet, the market is quiet. At the moment, all is quiet, calm and relaxed.”
LIVE: Mauricio Pochettino previews our trip to Anfield! https://t.co/ePjBrLtzQK
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 30, 2024
Several Chelsea players have been linked with exits in recent days, with Tottenham reportedly interested in midfielder Conor Gallagher and Wolves eyeing a loan move for striker Armando Broja.
Despite being strongly linked with a move, Broja has started six of Chelsea’s Premier League games this season, including three of their last four.
A key feature of the Blues’ season has been an inability to take their chances, and Pochettino says they would be in a far stronger position if they had a consistent goalscorer available to them all campaign.
“For sure we’d be in a different position with a player that could score 20 goals or more,” Pochettino says.
“It’s true that our performances, if we compare with other teams, we are at the top – only in terms of performances. We miss that kind of player that makes the difference.
“We need to build victories in different ways and be clinical, because we want to win games. Now we can’t regret anything or go back, so we have to learn and try to be better in the future.”
Chelsea’s attack could receive a major boost ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Liverpool, though, with Christopher Nkunku available after recovering from a hip injury and Nicolas Jackson potentially able to feature after Senegal’s elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations.
“Its good news that I think Malo gusto and Christopher can be involved, they will travel with the squad,” Pochettino said.
“We always wait until the last moment for any surprises, but at the moment it is good news. We’re also waiting to see if Nicolas Jackson can be involved, whether he arrives.”
Christo! ???? pic.twitter.com/rTL2RDD9Ai
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 30, 2024
