Your Chelsea morning digest on Wednesday, May 3.
Matic gives Pochettino green light
Nemanja Matic has given Todd Boehly the green light to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as next Chelsea manager. The 51-year-old has been heavily linked with replacing Frank Lampard at the end of the season, and he's recently emerged as the front-runner for the job.
In an interview with Sky Sports, the former Chelsea midfielder briefly explained why Pochettino is a 'great' manager. The 34-year-old said: "He’s a great manager.
"He showed at Spurs and PSG that he can play some great football. He has experience and I know he’s very professional and a very honest person, so why not?"
Read the full story here.
READ MORE: Mauricio Pochettino faces tough Chelsea reality after embarrassing Erling Haaland statistic
Kane prediction
Ian Wright believes that Mauricio Pochettino will help Chelsea beat Manchester United to the signing of Harry Kane, and thus reinstate the Blues' status as a Premier League powerhouse. The 29-year-old has been heavily linked with an exit from Tottenham lately, with his contract set to expire at the end of next season.
"That’s the only thing Tottenham fans wouldn’t be able to deal with, if he went to Chelsea," the former Arsenal striker told Premier League Productions. "Can you imagine, if Pochettino went to Chelsea, with the young players he has got and the fact that he is so good with that kind of player? That progressive young player.
"When you look at the dressing room he has left, with respect to dealing with Neymar, [Lionel] Messi and [Kylian] Mbappe. The way he can manage that situation, with young players, with Harry Kane and with the players Chelsea have got. That’s scary. That could be scary for someone."
Read the full story here.
Chelsea player ratings vs Arsenal
Frank Lampard watched his Chelsea side suffer a sixth consecutive defeat in all competitions as the Blues lost 3-1 against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Martin Odegaard scored twice, with Gabriel Jesus adding a third goal inside 35 minutes as Chelsea were outplayed by the Gunners in the first-half.
Noni Madueke scored his first goal for the Blues but it was only a consolation goal as Lampard's side failed to provide any signs of mounting a late comeback. Read football.london Chelsea reporter Scott Trotter's player ratings below.
Raheem Sterling - 2.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 2.
Noni Madueke - The only starter able to claim a real positive impact, and the only player really deserving of a rating. Struggled to find his way into the game but took matters into his own hands to carry the ball up the pitch. Finished well when given the opportunity. 6.
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