Mauricio Pochettino will quickly face some difficult decisions when looking to refine his Chelsea squad in the transfer window amid Todd Boehly’s big summer in the transfer market

Reece James and Ben Chilwell of Chelsea react while inspecting the pitch (Image: Eddie Keogh)

Mauricio Pochettino has been installed as Chelsea boss and is set to start work with the Blues when pre-season gets underway. After some clear criticism of the squad by former caretaker boss Frank Lampard, it’s clear that there will be some turnover within the Blues ranks this summer, no less than because they have a squad in excess of 30 players to accommodate.

Former Spurs boss Pochettino has a significant job at his door to help Chelsea bounce back from a 12th-placed finish to try and challenge once again at the heights of Europe, and this summer could prove crucial in creating the perfect platform. The 51-year-old will arrive with his team of Jesus Perez, Miguel D’Agostino, his son Sebastiano Pochettino and Toni Jimenez, quickly wanting to form a smaller squad in his own identity.

It has been said that Pochettino hopes to build around a young English core, though that will be test with Manchester United hoping to prise Mason Mount away from Chelsea, while there is an argument that he likes of Trevoh Chalobah and Conor Gallagher are part of group among Chelsea’s most sellable assets with the most upside in terms off offsetting the club’s January spending. There will be tough decision to make.

Nevertheless, some players are firmly set to remain at the club this summer even with an excess of players uncertain futures. football.london takes a look at who.

Goalkeepers

It is likely only Marcus Bettinelli that can be guaranteed to be on Cobham’s training pitches throughout the summer to work under Pochettino and Co. Neither Kepa Arrizabalaga or Edourd Mendy are guaranteed to be Chelsea’s No.1 next term with a new first choice stopper on the shopping list.

Gabriel Slonina likely remains with the club for the early stages of pre-season and enjoys a trip home for the club’s tour of the USA, but with Chelsea’s development plan for the 19-year-old proving key to his arrival, a loan awaits.

Defenders

Chelsea have declared that Levi Colwill is not for sale and so Pochettino is set to be the first Blues boss to be able to make use of the young defender for a full season in 2023/24. His return from Brighton does put a degree of pressure on Chelsea’s situation in central defence with every other centre-half having arrived in the last time months or signed a contract extension in the same period.

Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile seem set to stay at the club, while Trevoh Chalobah’s future has regularly come under scrutiny. He is set to fight for his spot and offers versatility in midfield, but has drawn early interest from Inter Milan, and last year saw the likes of Roma and Spurs as admirers.

Thiago Silva’s future should also be secure at Chelsea after his player of the season campaign, and commitment to the Blues with his son signed to the youth team too. However, the Brazilian defender is someone who has drawn interest from Saudi Arabia. Kalidou Koulibaly’s position is perhaps most uncertain after an indifferent first season at the club.

Reece James and Ben Chilwell remain stars even if Pochettino does move to four at the back, while the arrival of Malo Gusto will provide supporter for the former to better manage his minutes. The Blues will have some big decisions to make with the likes of Marc Cucurella, Lewis Hall and Ian Maatsen competing for spots on the opposite flank.

Midfielders

Enzo Fernandez has quickly cemented himself as an elite player in Chelsea’s side and may be the only player in the middle of the pitch that is certain of staying. Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher, Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have all been linked with moves away and N’Golo Kante is set to depart. The possibility of a loan has not even been ruled out for Carney Chukwuemeka.

There is a great deal of work for Pochettino to do in establishing his midfield presence.

Forwards

In many respects, Chelsea’s transfer business in January perhaps offers an informed approach to which players will still be around this summer. Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke will have found their time to adjust to their new surroundings ahead of the new season and will provide a formidable set of wingers with Raheem Sterling as Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic are set to depart.

Armando Broja will look to fight for his opportunity as he recovers from his injury, while his forward competition in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to depart and David Datro Fofana better suited to a loan. Kai Havertz’s role remains to be seen but has been widely linked to a move. The German’s position will come under scrutiny with the anticipated arrival of Christian Nkunku perhaps ready to leave game time more limited.

 

Soucre: football.london