5 questions Pochettino still needs to answer before Chelsea's season kicks off
Chelsea have a full pre-season with Mauricio Pochettino under their belts and now stand on the brink of the Premier League season.
It’s been a summer of change at Chelsea, who have said goodbye to Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Kai Havertz, Kalidou Koulibaly, Christian Pulisic, Eduouard Mendy, Cesar Azpilicueta, N’Golo Kante and many more. A clear-out and change of direction was needed after a disastrous campaign saw the Blues finish 12th last season, but can Pochettino turn things around?
Chelsea have been handed a tough start, against Liverpool on Sunday, so will have their mettle tested thoroughly straight out of the blocks. Pre-season has been a time of opportunity at Chelsea, with previously sidelined players given the chance to step up and new arrivals bedding in.
Here Mirror Football takes a look over the most pressing concerns from Pochettino ahead of the 2023/24 season.
1. How will he adapt without Nkunku?
Pochettino has already been dealt a blow early into his Chelsea stint via the news that Christopher Nkunku will be sidelined for an “extended period” through injury. Nkunku is one of the most exciting signings but the £52m man has undergone knee surgery.
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His absence is significant for Pochettino, who is not currently blessed with attacking options of Nkunku’s skill set. Havertz was sold to Arsenal for £65m and Joao Felix’s loan ended.
Christopher Nkunku has undergone knee surgery (Getty Images)So what is the solution? Pochettino has used his trademark 4-2-3-1 formation in pre-season and will now either have to call upon others or sign someone new to plug the gap in attacking midfield.
Carney Chukwuemeka is better used centrally. Ian Maatsen could be loaned out. Noni Madueke missed pre-season with a tight hamstring. Raheem Sterling has played off the right flank. Mykhaylo Mudryk is the most obvious answer, but can Pochettino get the best out of him?
2. Who is going to score the goals?
Nicolas Jackson has a weight on his shoulders at Chelsea (Marco Steinbrenner/Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! What do you make of Chelsea's chances this season? How will Mauricio Pochettino do? Comment below.
Many of these points are connected. Nkunku scored 16 times in the Bundesliga for RB Leipzig last season and the Blues would have been counting on him to lead the line this season after they managed just 38 goals in the league in 2022/23 – the joint fourth worst record in the division.
The other main summer signing, Nicolas Jackson, could have pressure piled onto his shoulders. The 22-year-old bagged 12 goals in LaLiga last season for Villarreal but he started just 16 times and is relatively inexperienced. He will need time to adapt to the Premier League.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has left on a free transfer for Marseille and Romelu Lukaku has been frozen out. Armando Broja is recovering from a serious knee injury. The transfer window is open until September 1 – will Chelsea make use of it?
3. Can he get more out of under-performers?
Mauricio Pochettino has a lot to ponder at Chelsea (Mike Stobe/Getty Images)This question is linked to the previous two, but is fundamental to the hiring of Pochettino as manager. The Argentine is renowned for improving players – and that is something desperately needed at Chelsea.
Sterling and Mudryk are the two most obvious candidates for players who didn’t show up last season but have the talent required to make a huge difference.
Many of the others have been sold, but Marc Cucurella is another who arrived for a huge transfer fee but struggled to make an impact.
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Pochettino likes to work with a small squad and his combination of an arm around the shoulder and brutal fitness drills has performed wonders before.
4. Can he end the Lukaku transfer saga?
Romelu Lukaku's saga has dragged on over the summer (Getty Images)The question mark over the future of Lukaku has been dragging on throughout the summer and has been a major distraction. The Belgian spent last season on loan with Inter Milan and was desperate to join the Italian side on a permanent deal. That eventuality did not come to pass and he is now in limbo.
A potential move to Juventus has quickly become toxic, with Old Lady fans furious and a potential swap with Dusan Vlahovic falling flat.
Pochettino decided he didn’t want Lukaku and the club needs to find a solution in the coming weeks. Co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley are also responsible for landing top target Moises Caicedo after a prolonged pursuit.
5. How will he integrate youngsters?
Levi Colwill has a big season ahead of him (Getty Images)Pochettino has a brilliant record of bringing through young players at his previous clubs. Chelsea have one of the most productive academies in the country. It sounds like a match made in heaven, but the pipeline has stalled somewhat in recent years.
The former Tottenham boss has the likes of Levi Colwill and Maatsen who are ready for first-team football. Injuries to Benoit Badashile and Wesley Fofana have opened up a place for Colwill, whose stock is extremely high after a season on loan with Brighton.
Pochettino took a look at Mason Burstow, Bashir Humphreys and others in pre-season. He would boost the feel-good factor around the club by bringing through a youngster this season.
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