Todd Boehly has been reassured that Mauricio Pochettino is well-equipped to succeed at Chelsea after comments from Adam Lallana have resurfaced. The former Tottenham boss has been heavily linked with replacing Frank Lampard in the summer following the withdrawal of Julian Nagelsmann from the running.
The former Bayern Munich boss emerged as an early favourite to fill the vacancy at Stamford Bridge however, after talks broke down, he distanced himself from proceedings. Luis Enrique was also name-checked in relation to the position in west London but, after reportedly making several demands, he also dropped out.
Carlo Ancelotti was mentioned as well, though he ruled himself out of contention – not once but twice. Now, according to The Times, Pochettino is now at the top of the Blues' shortlist.
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The report states that the 51-year-old has held 'a series of positive talks' with Chelsea this week, establishing himself as an 'extremely strong candidate'. Pochettino first made a name for himself in the Premier League when he took the helm at Southampton – and it was at St Mary's where Adam Lallana realised the Argentine had an 'aura' about him.
In 2016, the England international told the Daily Mail how Pochettino won over the dressing room and why he was successful with the Saints. With the Chelsea players under immense pressure, Boehly will be pleased to hear that the former Spurs boss is capable of taking the weight off their shoulders.
"I hadn’t really heard of him before he came," said Lallana. "It was January, snowing and me, Jose Fonte, Morgan Schneiderlin, Rickie Lambert and Kelvin Davis turned up at St Mary’s to meet him.
"When he came into the room, he had an aura straightaway. He overdid the aftershave because we were like, 'Bloody hell!', but he made this impression.
"At that time, I didn’t want to be captain. I was 24. Being in the Premier League was pressure enough. There were times I’d be on the pitch thinking I didn’t want that armband.
"Anyway, one day Pochettino sits me down. His English wasn’t very good but I was in his office and he said to me, 'What’s happening?' He knew something wasn’t right. I used to speak to the chairman (Nicola Cortese) after most games.
"If we weren’t playing well, he would give his opinion. As soon as I mentioned that to him he was like, 'This . . . This . . . This needs to stop! You can’t feel the weight of speaking to the chairman if results aren’t going well! This is my job! You are my player! I want you to be free!'
"Straightaway, I felt heaps better and thought, 'What a manager he must be!'. The relationship grew from there. I would call into his office two or three times a week, to look at clips and things.
"He would offer me his mate (South American herbal tea). I remember him having these joss sticks lit and that smell reminds me of being in his office.
"There aren’t too many managers who you would have a friendship with after going your separate ways but I do with him. Last year, of course I was desperate for Tottenham to win the league but it was for him, not because I’m a Tottenham fan. I’m his friend."
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