Chelsea manager Pochettino left with big ‘fear’ just two weeks before the season commences
Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly concerned about Chelsea’s lack of midfield experience and depth headed into the upcoming season. The Blues have already conducted a massive purge in the department this summer, but have yet to receive replacements.
Pochettino made it plain upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge that he wanted Chelsea to prioritise selling players over spending money, not wanting to repeat Graham Potter’s mistake of amassing an excessively large squad.
Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have been sold as a consequence, but Pochettino has not been rewarded with new signings for facilitating so many exits.
According to The Times, the former Tottenham manager is ‘increasingly concerned’ about his lack of midfield experience and the slow progress of procuring reinforcements. Four of Chelsea’s six preseason midfielders were adolescents, highlighting the magnitude of the issue.
The Blues have spent the majority of the summer in negotiations with Brighton in an attempt to convince their Premier League counterparts to part ways with Moises Caicedo. Chelsea have had two proposals for the Ecuadorian international rejected, but they are unwilling to increase their offers to £100 million despite Brighton’s valuation.
Caicedo is viewed as the ideal signing due to his Premier League experience and quality, but Pochettino’s side will have to pay a premium for his services. Brighton is willing to negotiate for their No. 25, but only if the defender Levi Colwill is included in a player-plus-cash offer.
With West Ham and Tottenham showing interest in Conor Gallagher, Mauricio Pochettino is two weeks away from entering the 2023/24 season with Enzo Fernandez as his only experienced midfielder. It remains to be seen whether Chelsea will be forced to take the bullet and abandon their position of not offering more than £80 million, or if they will pursue alternative targets.
The Blues have inquired about Romeo Lavia for nearly a year via Joe Shields, and the Belgium international is a potential alternative if the pursuit of Caicedo is terminated. Liverpool is advancing in negotiations with Southampton for Lavia, and a second proposal is expected to be submitted imminently. As a result, Chelsea does not have much time to decide between the two.
Chelsea manager Pochettino left with big ‘fear’ just two weeks before the season commences