Mauricio Pochettino now has the ideal chance to reunite with James Ward-Prowse at Chelsea following Southampton's Premier League relegation. When he led the Saints in 2013, the future Blues manager referred to the midfielder as a role model, and now there is a chance to collaborate with him once more.
This week, Pochettino will be introduced as Chelsea's new manager when the Blues finally secure Graham Potter's long-term replacement. The Argentine is expected to sign a three-year contract and will get started immediately on season planning as the Blues attempt to bounce back from their disastrous Premier League campaign.
His first responsibility will be to manage the transfer market activities of the team. Declan Rice, Lautaro Martinez, and Alexis MacAllister have all been mentioned in connection with the Blues' rumoured plans to spend heavily once more.
Given the expected high cost, the club may also need to look at discounts as they try to abide by FFP rules. Ward-Prowse might be the right player for the job. The Englishman possesses a special set of talents, notably from dead balls, that could be used in some circumstances, but he is not likely to start at Stamford Bridge.
He should be available for a reasonable price given Southampton's relegation from the Premier League and would be a pretty low-risk type of deal.
Pochettino might also be a fan. When he managed Southampton in 2013, the Argentine talked highly of the midfielder and implied that he was the ideal role model for the club's other young players to follow.
James Ward-Prowse, who was then 18 years old, is essentially a model for the type of player we are encouraging and the type of player we want to have in this club, according to Pochettino. He provides 110% in every training session.
"He is still a player who is developing, and he always has an immediate impact in what he does. He is a representative of the type of player Southampton is looking for.
In the immediate wake of the Saints' relegation, Ward Prowse has refrained from making many comments about his future because he is suffering alongside his team.
"I'm not thinking too far ahead," he declared. "We recently lost our Premier League status. I don't have any plans beyond tomorrow.
It is unclear who Pochettino would try to hire as Chelsea's manager, but he has the cheap option of Ward-Prowse if he ever choose to take it.
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