Three Signings Mauricio Pochettino Could Make As Chelsea Manager 

It might not be officially announced by the west London club as of yet, as negotiations appear to be dragging out somewhat for one reason or another. But it’s been public knowledge for quite some time now that Mauricio Pochettino will be the next manager of Chelsea and there’s no reason to believe that the deal is going to fall through at this stage. 

It goes without saying that the Argentine is walking into Stamford Bridge with the two-time European champions in a state of disarray. The Blues have been in meltdown since Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the British government 12 months ago and no amount of money new owner Todd Boehly has splashed since taking the reins has been able to solve their problems.  

Despite spending over £500 million across the last two transfer windows, Chelsea look set to finish in the bottom half of the Premier League for the first time since 1996. Not only does the dressing room need a mass clear out at the end of the season, but new faces are required too. 

So, as we gear up for another busy summer of ins and outs at Chelsea, let’s take a look at some potential additions Pochettino could make as he looks to make the Blues more favourable in the betting on football.  

Sadio Mane 

This one might come as something as a surprise, but there are several reports linking former Liverpool striker Sadio Mane with a shock move to Stamford Bridge. The Senegal international only departed Anfield for the Alliance Arena last summer, joining Bayern Munich for around £27 million after a successful six years with the Reds, but it looks like he could be ready to leave the Bundesliga already. 

Mane has only managed to find the back of the net seven times in 23 appearances in the German topflight and things went from bad to worse when he got into an altercation with Leroy Sane, allegedly punching the former Manchester City winger in the face before Bayern’s big clash with the Sky Blues in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. 

Whether or not the 31-year-old would be open to a return to the Premier League to play for one of Liverpool’s rivals remains unclear, but it’s understood that Pochettino has the forward on his most wanted list.  

Andre Onana 

While a striker will justifiably be top of Pochettino’s priorities, there’s no question that the Argentine will be on the lookout for a new goalkeeper — or two — with the future of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Eduard Mendy in doubt.  

Andre Onana is a shot stopper that has been linked with a move to Chelsea for a few seasons now, but the move has never materialised as he received a nine-month ban for taking an illegal substance in 2021 and moved to Inter Milan last summer. 

The £40m-rated goalie has kept seven clean sheets in 11 Champions League appearances, helping Inter reach the semi-finals of the prestigious competition. But there will be strong competition for goalkeepers this summer with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United also believed to be looking for new No.1s between the sticks.  

There are also reports that Pochettino has reservations surrounding the former Cameroon international and that he prefers Brentford’s David Raya, who has managed to keep both Kepa and David de Gea out of the Spain squad. 

Moises Caicedo 

Chelsea’s midfield is likely going to look very different next season. Bit-part players like Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Conor Gallagher could be moved on, while major influences like Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante and Mason Mount have also been linked with transfers away from west London this summer.  

Declan Rice has been a long-time target of Chelsea, with the Blues left ruing their decision to release the West Ham United man in his teens, but with no Champions League football next season it appears they will miss out on the England midfielder. 

That’s where Brighton’s Moises Caicedo comes into the equation. Chelsea moved for the Ecuadorian in January, but couldn’t get a deal over the line. The 21-year-old has since signed a long-term contract with the Seagulls, which means the Blues could have to fork out a big fee to persuade Brighton to sell, but Boehly already has a good relationship with the club’s chiefs.  

Southampton’s Romeo Lavia could be an alternative option for the Blues if they can’t strike a deal for Caicedo.   

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