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Luke Thrower

Chelsea make Neymar transfer decision amid Man Utd interest and Mauricio Pochettino overhaul

Chelsea have entered the race to sign PSG star Neymar Jr this summer, if recent reports are to be believed, with the Brazilian's future currently uncertain.

The west London club are preparing for their new project under Mauricio Pochettino, where the former Tottenham boss will be tasked with returning the Blues to the higher end of the Premier League table as well as competing for trophies. The side finished 12th in the division this season, were knocked out by Manchester City in both domestic cups and reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, where they lost out to Real Madrid.

A huge squad and four different managers meant that there was a lack of consistency running through the team over the course of the campaign. One of the issues faced by all over the past year has been goal scoring, with Chelsea only managing 38 goals in 38 league games.

"Work on the training pitch," interim boss Frank Lampard said in April when asked what needs to be done to change their attacking fortunes. "When I consider the work that we do, we work a lot in the last third, in terms of finishing and crosses, and the idea of how we want to get in the box.

"The last bit is sometimes confidence. Whether it's an individual thing or team confidence. I think I'd come back to the work side of it. If you work and keep going, something can change."

While that is something that may need to be addressed by Pochettino and his coaching staff, there's also a potential overhaul to come too. A whole host of players seem set to leave, with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech linked with moves away, while Joao Felix's loan won't be made permanent.

READ MORE: Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: Done deal, Messi offer, £86m Kante deal, Kai Havertz price

In an attempt to solve the issues up front, signings could be made to help address the balance, though it could come in the form of experience. According to Le10Sport, that could be through Neymar Jr, with the French outlet claiming that Chelsea have made contact over a potential move, which could see Pochettino reunite with forward he coached during his time at PSG.

The Blues are keen to get a move done for the Brazilian international, with the 31-year-old's contract at the French club entering its final two-years. The interest in the Premier League doesn't stop with Chelsea though, as previous reports have also linked rivals Manchester United.

Erik ten Hag was quizzed on the possibility of a deal and while he didn't rule it out, the manager was coy, saying: "When we have news, we will tell you." It remains to be seen how this saga will play out, but it could open up the possibility of a huge tussle for the forward.

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