sport news Mauricio Pochettino's hard work starts now but Todd Bohely MUST give him space ... trends now
When Mauricio Pochettino first interviewed for the Chelsea job eight months ago, it was a widely held view that it was no more than a token gesture.
The club’s co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital were already down the line towards appointing Graham Potter.
The decision to speak to Pochettino — as well as adding Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim to their list of candidates — was more indicative of Chelsea’s desire to make it look as if they were completing something at least resembling a full recruitment process.
That said, Pochettino’s vision resonated. His holistic approach to the club’s first team, intertwined with the development of youth, impressed Chelsea’s owners.
Plenty of water and money has passed under the Bridge since then. The club splashed the cash again in January to take total spending under their new owners to £600million, Potter has gone and Chelsea have imploded. Enter Pochettino. Finally.
Mauricio Pochettino was finally appointed as the next permanent Chelsea manager on Monday
He will succeed Frank Lampard (pictured) after he took over as interim boss back in April
Chelsea sacked Graham Potter - who replaced Thomas Tuchel - after less than a year in charge
The biggest unkept secret in English football has finally been confirmed — the former Tottenham head coach’s appointment as Chelsea’s fourth manager in under a year on an initial two-year deal was announced on Monday.
The hard work starts now for the Argentine, although in truth Pochettino started grafting weeks ago. He already knows he wants Mason Mount, a target for Manchester United, to sign a new contract — though that will be easier said than done.
He knows he wants a new goalkeeper, a central midfielder and a striker and has informed the recruitment team of his recommendations.
Romelu Lukaku is due to return from his loan spell at Inter Milan in the summer with Pochettino eager to gauge how the Belgian striker views his future before making any decisions.
But even if there is a role for Lukaku under Pochettino next season, the new Chelsea boss wants another centre forward regardless.
He knows his team severely lack guile and know-how and has told the club to prioritise players with Premier League experience. What Pochettino also knows is that — despite their season from hell — Chelsea aren’t too far away from flourishing.
We won’t hear from Pochettino until he officially takes the reins on July 1. But it’s safe to say in Chelsea he sees a club with all the conditions necessary to succeed.
Pochettino certainly has a lot of work to do at the club, after they suffered a dismal season finishing 12th in the Premier League, one of their lowest-ever finishes
The Argentine is certainly looking for a new centre-forward and could turn to Romelu Lukaku (pictured) who will return from his loan at Inter Milan this summer
The infrastructure is second to none. The academy is producing senior footballers. But most pertinently of all, he sees a squad bursting with talent. One that doesn’t need a major facelift.
He believes he can get a tune
