sport news How could Chelsea line up under Mauricio Pochettino next season? trends now

As Mauricio Pochettino closes in on a sensational return to the Premier League with Chelsea, the former Tottenham boss will already be contemplating the long to-do list he is set to be faced with upon arrival.

The Argentine will hope to turn the club's fortunes around after what has been a dismal and chaotic season with Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Bruno Saltor and Frank Lampard all taking charge of the team at points.

Chelsea are languishing in 11th place and are on course for their first bottom-half finish since the 1995-96 campaign in what has been a tumultuous first year of ownership under the Todd Boehly-led group.

The American can't be accused of not trying to bring success to the club, spending more than £600m on 18 players across the summer and winter transfer windows, but their strategy has often looked haphazard and flawed.

This has culminated in the Blues using a whopping 32 players in total this season - the second most in the top flight behind Nottingham Forest's 33.

The size of the squad has been so large that, at times, players have even had to get changed in the corridors of the training ground due to the dressing room not being big enough to house so many first-team stars. 

Pochettino will likely want to strengthen in the summer, but he will be tasked with moving on several players to trim the squad in order to create more unity and space, along with the need to satisfy Financial Fair Play regulations, after the club posted a £121m loss last year.

This will likely lead to many high-profile departures, with academy product and fans favourite Mason Mount strongly linked with a move away, having not yet extended his contract ahead of its expiry next summer - although Pochettino is keen to keep the England man.

The club could see as many as 10 senior first team players leave, but they have also been linked with additions as Mail Sport reported how Lautaro Martinez, Emiliano Martinez, Declan Rice, Alex Mac Allister are all targets, along with the impending arrival of Christopher Nkunku for £63m.

In light of the speculation, Mail Sport takes a look at how Chelsea could line up for next season in Pochettino's favoured 4-2-3-1 formation.

Goalkeeper - Emiliano Martinez

Despite Kepa Arrizabalaga being one of the few Chelsea players to emerge with any credit from this season, the Spaniard has generally struggled to convince since joining for £71.6m in 2018 for a world-record fee for a goalkeeper.

He has been been preferred to the injury-hit Edouard Mendy in recent months, with the Senegalese stopper linked with a departure - although he did return to the side for the weekend's draw with Nottingham Forest.

This means a new goalkeeper could be on the agenda and Mail Sport understands Aston Villa and Argentina star Emiliano Martinez is a target. 

The Golden Glove and World Cup winner has enjoyed another fine season for Unai Emery's side, keeping 13 clean sheets this year as they push for Europe, outlining his status as one of the finest top flight No 1s

He would therefore be a top quality addition for Pochettino and Martinez has previously spoken of his desire to play in the Champions League.

However, given Villa's likely qualification for Europe next season, along with their strong financial position, it could be a tough transfer deal for Chelsea to complete. 

Right back - Reece James

Having signed three top-quality defenders this season, along with the addition of highly-rated right back Malo Gusto from Lyon, Chelsea are well set in defence for the foreseeable future.

Similarly, despite their dismal campaign, they have the third-best defensive record in the league, conceding just 41 goals in 35 games.

Although Reece James has struggled with injury this year, you are hard-pushed to find many better right backs in the top flight and he will be a key part of their team next season and beyond.

Centre back - Thiago Silva

The saying 'age is just a number' is most certainly apt for the evergreen Thiago Silva, who continues to show his quality despite being 38.

After signing a new one-year deal in February, the Brazilian has backed up his impressive form from the World Cup with more solid displays in Chelsea's side, while he has shown leadership amid their struggles.

With an extremely young team and defence around him, Silva will provide important quality and experience for Pochettino. 

Centre back - Benoit Badiashile 

Many of Chelsea's signings this season have struggled, but 22-year-old Benoit Badiashile has looked at home since his £35m move from Monaco in January.

The left-footed Frenchman provides balance to the Blues' defence and also has the necessary pace and quality on the ball to be a big part of the side's future. 

He has become instantly popular with fans and even scored his first goal for the club against Bournemouth earlier this month.

As a result, Badiashile just edges out Wesley Fofana and Kalidou Koulibaly in this XI and Pochettino will hope he can go on to fill a similar role to that of Jan Vertonghen from his Tottenham days.

Left back - Ben Chilwell 

Ben Chilwell is another player who has enjoyed a respectable campaign despite the team's wider struggles.

Chelsea have a superb record when lining up with Chilwell and James at full back and the 26-year-old will no doubt continue to improve his attacking output.

Joining James, Silva and Badiashile in defence, Pochettino will have a solid base to build upon. 

Central midfield - Enzo Fernandez

The £107m British-record signing has had a baptism of fire in English football, thrown into a side badly lacking confidence and coherence.

We have seen signs of Fernandez's best, with two sumptuous assists, and the 22-year-old will no doubt be better for the difficult experience since arriving at Stamford Bridge.

But given the outlay and his age, the 22-year-old will be a pillar of this Chelsea side under his fellow countryman. 

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