Chelsea are already making moves in the transfer window with plenty of news coming out of the Stamford Bridge club since Mauricio Pochettino's appointment as head coach.
Here is your morning Chelsea digest on Wednesday, May 31.
Mauricio Pochettino first Chelsea signing revealed and it's not Christopher Nkunku
Mauricio Pochettino was confirmed as Chelsea's new manager on Monday afternoon. The Argentine signed a two-year contract, with the option of a further year, as he prepares to officially start his new role on July 1.
Todd Boehly and co. are keen to support Pochettino and create the best working environment possible for the 51-year-old to be successful. The Blues have seen plenty of changes to their backroom staff and hierarchy in the last 12 months after Petr Cech and Marina Granovskaia left the club following Boehly's arrival at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are set to activate Nkunku's £52million release clause this summer as he prepares to make his final appearance for RB Leipzig - taking on Eintracht Frankfurt in the DFB-Pokal final this weekend. The 25-year-old won the Bundesliga Golden Boot award despite missing two months of the season through injury and Pochettino will hope Nkunku can solve the west Londoners' goalscoring problems.
A report from the Telegraph has detailed that the Blues are in talks to appoint Andy Cousins as part of the club’s scouting and recruitment team. Cousins has previously worked at Stoke City and Manchester City, but could be set for a new role with Chelsea ahead of a crucial summer transfer window for Pochettino and Boehly.
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Mauricio Pochettino green lights Chelsea transfer as Todd Boehly considers player plus cash deal
Chelsea are set for another busy summer transfer window as Todd Boehly aims to back Mauricio Pochettino ahead of his first season in charge. The Blues are expected to move on a number of current senior players with Pochettino targeting a new goalkeeper, central midfielder and striker, football.london understands.
The Ecuadorian midfielder has a real chance of leaving the Amex Stadium this summer with Roberto De Zerbi admitting both Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister can play at a higher level. However, Pochettino has instead given Chelsea the green light to pursue a deal for Sporting CP star Manuel Ugarte.
The Uruguay international has a release clause in his current contract with the Portuguese outfit and is attracting interest from Premier League clubs and Paris Saint-Germain. The Blues will feel confident of landing Ugarte's signature this summer after reports stated that the Sporting star would favour a move to Stamford Bridge over PSG.
According to Record in Portugal, Chelsea are willing to offer £62million - plus £4million in add-ons - for Ugarte. The report adds that the Blues have discussed the idea of loaning young striker David Datro Fofana to Sporting as part of the proposal, in a bid to beat the French giants to a deal.
Mauricio Pochettino makes brutal Joao Felix and Chelsea transfer decision
Mauricio Pochettino does not want Joao Felix at Chelsea next season, according to Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo. Felix signed for Chelsea on a six-month loan deal over the January transfer window and there was talk of either making his contract permanent or another temporary move for the Portugal international.
football.london understands Felix has loved his time in London and was keen on staying put beyond the expiry of his contract. However, Pochettino, who was confirmed as the new Chelsea head coach on Monday, apparently sees things differently.
"We've been informed that Pochettino does not count with Joao Felix for Chelsea," Cerezo said. "He will return here, we'll see. We have nothing planned."
The 23-year-old made 20 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions after signing on loan in January. Felix managed to score four times for the Blues – with all of them coming in the Premier League.
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