Incoming Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino is trying to copy considered one of Jose Mourinho's best methods as he prepares to take over t the membership this summer time. The Blues are anticipated to nominate the previous Tottenham boss by the tip of this week, bringing an finish to their protracted seek for Graham Potter's successor, and Pochettino is raring to mark his stamp on the squad forward of a busy summer time of exits and new arrivals.
It's believed Pochettino has been briefed by Todd Boehly and co-sporting administrators Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart on the membership's plans to drastically cut back the dimensions of their squad, which presently has 31 gamers not together with these out on mortgage.
That would see Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, Romelu Lukaku, Mason Mount, Kalidou Koulibaly and Mateo Kovacic depart the membership this summer time, with probably extra becoming a member of the exodus corresponding to Romelu Lukaku and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
However as soon as their firesale has been accomplished, the Argentine is eager to strengthen with three new signings - a goalkeeper, central midfielder and a brand new No 9 - as he seems to repeat Mourinho's technique of setting up a 'backbone' together with his new group.
In his first season at Chelsea in 2004-05, Mourinho set about forming a small group of senior gamers for which his group might depend upon as the important thing males.
They have been Petr Cech, who was solely 22 on the time and an obscure determine exterior of France, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, a £24m signing from Marseille.
Cech succeeded Carlo Cudicini because the No 1 goalkeeper, whereas Lampard was already an vital member of the group. Drogba took a very long time to settle into his position of spearheading the assault, however nonetheless celebrated profitable two Premier League titles in a row from 2004 to 2006. All three gamers would go on to turn into leaders throughout the squad after being nurtured by Mourinho.
And as he seems to deliver a brand new tradition to the membership after a dreadful season below Potter, Thomas Tuchel and Frank Lampard, Pochettino could have an concept for which gamers can fill the spots he wants in his new-look group.
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Brentford pair David Raya and Ivan Toney have shone as among the finest performers within the Premier League this season, and positively exterior the highest six.
Raya, who's out of contract in 2024, is anticipated to go away the Bees and the Spain worldwide possesses arguably superior shot-stopping and distribution talents than Kepa Arrizabalaga or Edouard Mendy.
Toney has bagged 20 objectives within the Premier League this season and has usually been in comparison with Drogba for the style he leads the road as a goal man and his fearless method to ending. If Victor Osimhen is tough to signal, the £40m-rated striker would characterize a superb contingency choice.
Like Raya, he might additionally depart Brentford this summer time with Chelsea and Manchester United each looking for a brand new central striker - and if Pochettino cannot have Harry Kane, the following finest Englishman in entrance of objective is not a foul backup.
He may additionally view West Ham captain Declan Rice as the right associate for Enzo Fernandez. The Englishman is ready to spark a tug-of-war between the highest groups within the Premier League and the Hammers are able to demand £120m for his or her star man, and Chelsea have already established they're able to spend large to get their high targets.
Boehly wasted the very best a part of £600m shopping for gamers for the long run and ones that did not match the system Potter was enjoying.
Greater than ever, it's crucial that he buys into Pochettino's imaginative and prescient by securing the gamers on the high of his wishlist - and doing so might roll again the years to when Mourinho's Chelsea dominated English soccer.