Mauricio Pochettino already has perfect Mason Mount Chelsea replacement after £12m deal
Chelsea news: The Blues will be keen to address the big problem area for Mauricio Pochettino as soon as possible.
The hub of most teams is the midfield but for Mauricio Pochettino it is perhaps the true epicentre to success. Just like the rest of his coaching identity, there is a demand for total buy-in and commitment to the cause. The same may be true for all top teams but Pochettino in-particular places physical demands over tactics in a way.
To go with that there are few better as a midfield powerhouse than N'Golo Kante. His unique skillset make him one of very few players that can operate in midfield like he can. His relentless energy, speed on the press and ability to read the game and anticipate passes and angles is practically unrivalled.
At Tottenham this came in the form of Moussa Sissoko, Moussa Dembele and Victor Wanyama. Three engines to run the game, box-to-box talent with quality in possession. Often functional rather than flashy, this trio allowed the players further forward protection, freedom and solidity to do their work.
For Chelsea there are no other natural fits outside of Kante for those two roles. It is an area that needs to be addressed. Enzo Fernandez is more of a Marco Verratti-type player but that is no issue, the Italian had great success under Pochettino too. What will be needed is the source of energy from a third source.
Be it the mixture of a 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 that Pochettino often used at Spurs, Chelsea's midfield No.8s were once a thing of pride. Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount offering dynamic partners to Jorginho and Kante, now they lack the same presence. Mount, though, is a player that could be reborn from his hellish season should he commit to more years at SW6.
Now, with Mount facing a potential exit from the club the need to find a replacement is a very real demand that could need addressing. In true Pochettino style though, the answer may already be found from within. He is not the type of manager to make blank cheque requests, blow down the house with rage at a transfer or be outlandishly bullish with his demands. Pochettino is resourceful and luckily has plenty of tools in his shed.
Chelsea didn't spend over £50m last summer on teenagers for no reason. They added more names to the list of under-21 talents in January too and have the exciting Brazilian prospect of Andrey Santos to welcome in. When he is granted a visa to come and play in England - as appears likely following his national team exploits - he is one destined for the first team.
At £12m he already looks to be a bargain. For Brazil he has made his senior debut as well as captaining up two age-groups for the successful under-20 side. As a powerful but technically gifted and versatile midfielder, he is exactly the style and mould of player that Pochettino will be planning to shape.
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