Glen Johnson has explained why Mauricio Pochettino would be a great appointment as Chelsea's next permanent manager. Following the sacking of Graham Potter, co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali were set to take their time over the next managerial arrival and after extensive meetings and narrowed down shortlists, Pochettino emerged as the firm favourite.
Positive talks have been held between the two parties and, despite his Tottenham links, Pochettino is open to the move, football.london understands. Other candidates are still being lightly considered with Vincent Kompany and Ange Postecoglou each having their admirers in west London.
During his five-and-a-half-year spell across the capital, Pochettino revolutionised the play style at Spurs guiding them to successive top-four finishes and a Champions League final in 2019. Ultimately, his team were beaten by Liverpool, but the Argentine has proven he can be successful with a young squad that was underperforming prior to his arrival.
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Based on that exact reason, Johnson has explained why he would welcome Pochettino as the next manager of his former club. "Mauricio Pochettino is a manager that has worked with good players," the ex-Premier League defender told King Casino Bonus. "He is a manager that knows the league and the players seem to get on with him. I think Chelsea will benefit with him as manager."
Despite the fact Pochettino's first game in charge if he joins the club will likely be on the opening day of the 2023/24 season, the work will start from the moment he signs. The summer transfer window will prove crucial in balancing the books at Chelsea, with a June 30 FFP deadline looming.
Selling homegrown players would significantly help that issue be resolved as any sale would count as pure profit on the books. With that in mind, Johnson has outlined three English stars he thinks should leave the club in the summer.
"Trevor Chalobah and Ruben Loftus-Cheek should leave Chelsea in the summer," he said. "Loftus Cheek has made promise after promise in the League, and after a point you cannot keep promising, you have to deliver!
"He needs to go somewhere else, play every single week and get his career started again. He was primed as a world-beater and hasn't kicked on.
"Conor Gallagher should go out on loan. He will be a good player, he just needs regular playing time and to regain the form he had at Palace. Those are the three players that need to go at the moment."
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