As of the beginning of July Mauricio Pochettino is officially the new manager of Chelsea, taking over at a club that finished 12th in the Premier League and spent over half a billion on transfers as they built their current squad.
Chelsea ended the season with an official squad size of 33, with numerous more players out on loan, but an exodus of players is coming at the club. Already players such as Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Hakim Ziyech and N’Golo Kante are all set to be heading to the Saudi Pro League. Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovačić, meanwhile, has opted to move north to champions Manchester City.
Chelsea started last season with Thomas Tuchel but he was sacked after the new owners of the club decided to replace the German with Graham Potter. Potter came into the club from Brighton and was highly regarded, however, he was sacked by the club just under seven months into his tenure. Frank Lampard was then given the job until the end of the season and his time back at the club was hugely underwhelming.
Pochettino was praised massively by Spurs fans for his time at their club from 2014 to 2019 but his stature amongst the Tottenham faithful will have been somewhat tarnished by the move to Stamford Bridge.
Although highly rated as a coach, the Argentine manager isn’t known as a serial winner, with him moving to PSG after leaving Spurs and winning his only three titles to date – the Ligue 1 title, French Cup and French Super Cup – albeit with a club which far outreaches its domestic competitors financially.
Whilst Chelsea could in theory fight for the title next season Pochettino will need time to settle into the club and to get to know his players. The Blues will be aiming to get back into European football as a starting point to then help the club become even more attractive to new potential signings.
Many signings made by Chelsea in recent windows have been handed six to seven year contracts which could turn out to be costly if the players don’t work out as successful acquisitions. Staying inside financial fair play (FFP) rules will also be front of the mind for the Chelsea hierarchy due to their massive spending over the past year.
Chelsea are looking at bringing in reinforcements in the goalkeeping position, with Mendy set to leave the club. Inter’s André Onana is one name on Chelsea’s shortlist, but he is also wanted by Manchester United. Christopher Nkunku has come into the club and he will be looked at as the main man to help bring in the goals for the club. The potential departure of Mason Mount and the exit of Kovačić could open a space in midfield, which could result in Chelsea looking at completing more business in that area of the field.
Players who are also in the current bloated squad such as Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke will be hoping to not only be the future of the club, but to make an impact next season.
With the whole club being off the mark last campaign, the players and staff will have a point to prove and they’ll be looking at hitting the ground running from the start of pre-season under their new boss.
