The end of the Premier League season is in sight with Chelsea having just seven matches to complete their term. The Blues fell out of contention for the Champions League trophy when knocked out by Real Madrid, and now in many regards will already be looking towards 2023/24.
There is no shortage of jobs to complete with the west London side required to do extensive work in the transfer window to form a slimmed down squad. More importantly, while the club have placed Frank Lampard in charge until the end of the season, Chelsea need to find a new head coach that shares their vision and to guide the team to a significant improvement next year.
The club, led by Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, have already formed their shortlist and are intent on doing their due diligence as the co-sporting directors make their first appointment, with the club's technical team not in place when Graham Potter replaced Thomas Tuchel in September.
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Mauricio Pochettino now appears to have become favourite in Chelsea's recruitment process, when previously the Blues had made it clear they had yet to form a preference. football.london takes a look at where things stand for the former Spurs boss and Chelsea at the moment.
Where things stand?
Four names were reported to be on Chelsea's shortlist in the form of Julian Nagelsmann, Pochettino, Vincent Kompany and Ange Postecoglou, while Luis Enrique had previously held meetings over the role. Nagelsmann has since pulled out of the running, while Kompany is still at Burnley bidding to win the Championship at the first attempt and has been reluctant to speak on the links so far.
Meetings have been held with the 51-year-old Argentine, with discussions seen as positive on both sides. Late last year, Pochettino even admitted he would be interested in a return to the Premier League having taken charge at PSG and now been without a role for almost a year.
He said: "I miss the Premier League. Why not [return to England]? We are open. I love England, I love living in London and Barcelona. And, of course, if that possibility [to return] appears for sure we will consider taking it."
While a deal has yet to be formed between the parties, the trajectory appears to be heading in the right direction, though no decision will be rushed. Chelsea even had Pochettino as a candidate ahead of appointing Potter.
What would it mean for Chelsea's hierarchy, players and supporters?
The relationship between Pochettino and Chelsea hierarchy would be an interesting one given the club's insistence on a collaborative approach to work moving forward. The former Spurs boss was central to the club's progression during his time in north London and had a good relationship with Steve Hitchen, the club's former technical performance director. A balance would need to be achieved in this regard, and the control the potential head coach would have is sure to come up during any talks.
Given the investment in the playing staff and the bloated squad, assurances will no doubt have to be made in the say Pochettino gets in such an area as part of the collaboration and an indication of future plans, particularly with the likelihood of no European football.
Pochettino has previously relied on a relatively small group of players and with a trimmed down schedule that may be even more likely. His last two jobs have come with players who have had no shortage of goals in Harry Kane and the likes of Kylian Mbappe. Given the Blues struggles in this area, it would be understandable if the former defender wanted some transfer window assurances, despite the ability he showed to maintain performances without new playing staff at Spurs.
Given the positive impression he left players with at Spurs, despite the poor form that led to his sacking, that reflection appears to have translated through England squads previously and the potential of Pochettino's arrival has been well-received.
Pochettino is likely to form his players into a system that relies on four defenders. Such formations have proved problematic for the Blues this season who have often reverted to three central defenders as a result. The move would seem to mesh well with the number of wingers Chelsea have at their disposal, though a number could depart in the summer.
Pressing from the front will likely factor into any team plans, something Lampard has also been keen to implement in recent weeks. That has proved beneficial for the likes of Conor Gallagher, though it has seen the likes of Joao Felix drop out of the team. It is difficult not to think that Mason Mount's attributes would not suit Pochettino well, perhaps leaving the owners more flexible in their approach to his contract.
While Lampard's short-term arrival appeared at least in part to galvanise fans, appointing Pochettino would likely be divisive. Some will be uncertain given the connection he had with rivals Tottenham, while others are simply not convinced he is the correct candidate.
The reaction to his name does not appear to have been negative enough to dissuade the Blues however, and of course, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte have been accepted in the opposite direction. However, given the two clubs' standing in the last two decades, it may be difficult to accept for some as Chelsea look to rebuild. Perhaps it could be even more frustrating for their rivals.
Competition for his signature?
Pochettino has also been linked to roles at Tottenham and Real Madrid. The Lilywhites are not in too dissimilar a situation to Chelsea having dismissed interim head coach Christian Stellini following defeat to Newcastle. Chelsea's London rivals are not expected to make a move for their former boss at this moment in time, with many aspects of the club having moved on from his time there.
For the Spanish side, Pochettino would have to wait, with Carlo Ancelotti having led the side to the Champions League semi-final once again. The Italian coach has been linked with the Brazil job with uncertainty surrounding his current position but has remained adamant he would like to see his contract out with Los Blancos that has a further year to run.
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