Mauricio Pochettino outlines five indispensable Chelsea players ahead of summer transfer rebuild
Mauricio Pochettino, the former Paris Saint-Germain manager, has reportedly identified five Chelsea players that he believes are indispensable to the team ahead of a summer transfer rebuild. The Argentine coach has been linked with taking over the reins at Stamford Bridge, and it appears that he is already looking ahead to the summer transfer window.
Reports suggest that Todd Boehly, the owner of Chelsea, is looking to trim down the squad by selling some players during the summer, with Frank Lampard set to remain in charge until the end of the season. However, Pochettino could be announced as Graham Potter's permanent successor as early as this week.
There are a few contract concerns facing the Blues, with N'Golo Kante's current deal set to expire this summer. Meanwhile, Mason Mount is said to be in talks over a new contract at Stamford Bridge, but Liverpool are said to be seriously interested in signing the 24-year-old midfielder.
According to The Mirror, Pochettino wants to keep Kante at Chelsea, despite interest from Barcelona, PSG, and Bayern Munich. The Frenchman is seen as a pivotal player in providing the protection that Pochettino will need in front of the back four, especially after a poor campaign this season, during which Kante has missed a large portion of the matches due to injury.
Pochettino is said to be keen on replicating his rebuilds at Southampton and Tottenham by securing a solid defensive platform in the team before worrying about the attack. As such, young defenders Benoit Badiashile and Levi Colwill are thought to be safe from being sold this summer, along with full-backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell.
Colwill has impressed during his loan spell with Brighton this year, and Chelsea are hoping he will remain at Stamford Bridge and become a regular first-team player, despite interest from Manchester City and Liverpool. Pochettino is also reportedly looking to make a change in the goalkeeper position, with Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga failing to show that they deserve to be starting long-term for the Blues.
In addition, the former Tottenham and PSG boss would like to add a new central midfielder and striker to support the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Kante, Raheem Sterling, Noni Madueke, and Mykhailo Mudryk. Christopher Nkunku is set to complete a move to Chelsea this summer after signing a pre-contract agreement with the Blues earlier this season, according to football.london.
Overall, it seems that Pochettino has a clear plan for Chelsea's summer transfer rebuild, with a focus on strengthening the team's defense and midfield, while also adding some firepower up front. It remains to be seen whether he will be appointed as the club's next manager, but if he is, it will be interesting to see how he implements his vision for the team.
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