Pochettino ‘happy’ with Chelsea progress, as he hints at different role for exciting new talent
New Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has detailed how he’s “happy” because of his squad’s “attitude” at the moment, as he hinted at the role new boy Christopher Nkunku will play.
As many as 11 outbound transfers at Stamford Bridge and four inbounds suggest things might look rather different for the club next season to how they did in the last campaign. And that might well be a positive, given they finished 12th in the Premier League last season.
Some big names have departed the side, namely Kai Havertz and Mason Mount, who joined Arsenal and Manchester United, respectively.
Given the pair were two of the more influential assets in front of goal the last couple of seasons – though nobody really pulled their weight in that respect last term – replacing their output will be important.
While it’s only pre-season and they faced League Two side Wrexham, that they won 5-0 in their last game suggests things could be moving in the right direction.
Pochettino detailed his happiness at his side’s start to pre-season proceedings.
“I am happy because of the attitude and now is time to improve,” he said, quoted by Metro.
“It is part of the process to plan the way we want to play and of course be in the physical condition also. I am happy with the performance and we keep going.”
That Nkunku scored will be a positive for the new boss, especially given Pierre-Emerick Aubameyand and Armando Broja are being linked with moves away.
Pochettino was happy that his side were able to get up to speed so quickly in general when he was asked about the Frenchman’s performance.
“The most important thing now is to get good feelings,” Pochettino said.
“We start again to play now after the holidays. There are players who didn’t play, other players [who] came are at different levels and now it is about getting everyone at similar level to try and compete for the things this season.”
Nkunku came on up top against Wrexham, though he’s played a lot of football behind the striker and in midfield, as well as having featured on either wing during his career.
As such, Pochettino feels he may be utilised away from the central striker role in future, having only played him there due to a lack of options on tour.
“I think for the possibility today and the different players we have available and I think it’s a position we decide today… we only have [Nicolas] Jackson and him with the possibility to play as a striker,” Pochettino added.
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