Dare we say it, but are these exciting times at Chelsea?
Yes, it's been a terrible – which seems like an understatement – season. But we are now at the point when we know Mauricio Pochettino will become the new Chelsea head coach. The Argentine is expected in London later this week to finalise the contract which is set to see him appointed until the summer of 2026, taking over at the end of the season.
It's a fresh start for Chelsea. Again. About eight months after the club appointed Graham Potter as their new head coach, with the vision that the 47-year-old would be in the dugout for the long-term, Chelsea are once again embarking on a 'fresh start'.
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This feels different, though. Pochettino comes in with a massive reputation and a huge pedigree. With no intended disrespect, Potter never had that. Pochettino has worked with the world's best players – he's handled the egos. His man-management skills are what sets him apart from other coaches and Chelsea need someone with expertise in that area right now.
The Argentine coach faces some big decisions, though, immediately when he arrives at the club and he is likely be in constant meetings with the recruitment team over player sales in the summer transfer window. There are a whole host of players that could leave in the summer, with the current crop of midfielders almost all facing uncertain futures at the club.
N'Golo Kante
Chelsea remain confident Kante will extend his stay at the club beyond his current contract which expires at the end of the season, football.london understands. The France international, who suffered another injury on Friday of last week, will be a free agent – as it stands – after the next three matches.
There have been constant meetings between the club and the midfielder's entourage, however, to try and resolve the matter. Now, with Pochettino set to be appointed in the coming days, we can expect the Argentine to be involved to try and get an extension over the line, despite not taking over as head coach until the summer.
Denis Zakaria
The 26-year-old midfielder is currently on loan at Chelsea from Juventus after signing on deadline day in the summer of 2022. Zakaria, though, has played just 599 minutes for the Blues while on loan and that's in all competitions. Just 11 appearances for the Switzerland international.
There seems to be absolutely no chance Chelsea will try and sign Zakaria despite there being an option to sign the midfielder for around £30million. But given how little he was used by Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, and now Frank Lampard, it looks highly unlikely he will remain at Stamford Bridge.
Mateo Kovacic
Chelsea are expecting offers for Kovacic when the summer transfer window opens, as football.london reported last week. The 29-year-old has just over 12 months remaining on his contract at Stamford Bridge and has plenty of interest in his signature.
Manchester City and Bayern Munich are understood to be the two front-runners for the Croatian midfielder. Kovacic limped off in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest so there is a chance he may have played his final game already for Chelsea.
Conor Gallagher
Liverpool have a keen interest in Gallagher and could make a move for the Chelsea midfielder in the summer. The England international had been a bit-part player for the Blues this season under Tuchel and Potter. But in recent weeks under Lampard, the 23-year-old has been a key figure in the first team.
Whether or not Pochettino fancies Gallagher remains to be seen, but he always seems like one of those players who is well liked by the managers he plays under. In an ideal world, Gallagher would like to stay in west London but he would surely want assurances over the amount of first-team football he will play next season.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Loftus-Cheek is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract at Chelsea and there is keen interest in the midfielder. AC Milan recently made contact with the Blues about a possible summer move for the 27-year-old, football.london understands.
Chelsea would be open to selling Loftus-Cheek should the right offer come their way but there could be a stumbling block in any potential move. The midfielder is on big money at Stamford Bridge and matching his wages elsewhere may be a difficult one to agree on between all parties.
Carney Chukwuemeka
Chelsea are considering sending Chukwuemeka out on loan next season in order to get the 19-year-old more senior experience. The teenager, who signed from Aston Villa last summer for around £20m, has made just 11 league appearances in his debut season with the club and 10 of those have come from the bench.
A Premier League move for Chukwuemeka would be the ideal option but going abroad is a possible alternative. There is expected to be plenty of interest in the talented midfielder.
Mason Mount
Mount's future is expected to dominate the summer transfer window. Liverpool's interest in the Chelsea midfielder is well known by now with Jurgen Klopp looking to rebuild his midfield at Anfield.
Chelsea and Mount have been speaking about a contract for months now and recently reopened talks. Pochettino is set to be a big factor in what happens to the England international with the Argentine said to be a huge fan of the player.
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