Author: Soorya G
According to reports, Chelsea have decided to appoint former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino as manager from the start of next season. The Argentine coach was placed at the top of Chelsea’s shortlist after the likes of Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique decided not to move to the club, which has had a frankly disastrous season so far despite its massive spending on transfers and hiring top coaches. After acquiring the previous ownership, the club spent large amounts of money, with a net spend of over 500 million euros to bring in the best players according to their needs.
They also dismissed Champions League-winning coach Thomas Tuchel in favor of Brighton manager Graham Potter. However, it all went wrong for Chelsea, who are on just 42 points with four games to go, 22 points off the Champions League spot.
With Pochettino emerging as one of the main candidates to take over at Chelsea, the Argentine coach is believed to have made some decisions before his official appointment. It is said that the next coach has outlined three positions in which he would like to strengthen the team. Pochettino has reportedly decided to sign a goalkeeper, a central midfielder and a centre-forward, should he be appointed to the post from next season. Curiously, Kepa Arrizabalaga, who has been one of the team’s best players in a disappointing season, seems to be on the shortlist. Ngolo Kante, who has achieved legendary status at Stamford Bridge, is also a player Pochettino would like to replace, but he has slowed down a bit with age and there is a need for a defensive midfielder.
Finally, Pochettino is thinking of signing Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and bringing a new face to the top of the pitch. Romelu Lukaku could well return, but that remains unlikely, considering that the coach traditionally prefers a striker who can play between the lines and drop back into midfield to hold up play, something the Belgian is not. Chelsea could well sign Christopher Nkunku for this position, as he played a similar role at Leipzig. Although there aren’t many players currently linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, an interesting summer is on the way for Chelsea.