With so much focus, and understandably so, on the summer transfer window, it is easy to forget Chelsea have appointed a superb manager in Mauricio Pochettino. It sounds bizarre to say but now that he has been confirmed as the new manager and the trading period is open, it has almost become a foregone conclusion to just associate him with the Blues.
A disappointing tenure at Paris Saint-Germain left a bitter taste in the mouths of many, but just ask Tottenham fans about Pochettino and they could go on for hours. With their beloved old boss joining a London rival, some may no longer hold him in the same regard but as a football coach with clear methods that work there isn't many better.
However, the task awaiting him at Stamford Bridge is not like anything he will have ever seen before. A first-team squad currently consisting of 30 players is a ridiculously large group of players and keeping all of them happy is a near impossible challenge.
Thankfully for Pochettino, several names including Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Hakim Ziyech, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy look set to leave. Key additions will also be sanctioned but the main priority of the summer is to trim down the squad significantly with other senior stars such as Mateo Kovacic, Kai Havertz and Mason Mount tipped to depart.
No European football could result in Pochettino using a limited number of players in the 2023/24 season but that could leave many unhappy with game time. On the topic of Champions League football, Chelsea legend Juan Sebastian Veron delivered his verdict on the club and Pochettino which also included an intriguing Tottenham comparison and his prediction for the Champions League along with the Blues' chances of qualification.
READ MORE: Chelsea transfer news LIVE: Kai Havertz to Arsenal, Kylian Mbappe contact, Pochettino fire sale
"I think everybody expected more from Chelsea last season," Veron told Gambling Zone. "They have good quality, good young players, but they need more experience in their squad. No, it wasn’t the best season for Chelsea, but they now have a good coach in Mauricio Pochettino and the goal will be to go and get better players.
"Honestly, I didn’t expect Pochettino would become Chelsea’s manager. But as he got a bit older and we spoke more and more, I noticed he had a profile which suited being a manager. He has the ability to coach players on an individual level.
"He did great things at Tottenham and he couldn’t pass up this opportunity to return to the Premier League. It reminds me of his start at Tottenham; a good young squad, with lots of potential and he eventually reached the Champions League. So I expect this will happen for him, eventually."
READ NEXT:
Mauricio Pochettino sets double Chelsea transfer plan with Moises Caicedo hope and £30m decision
Chelsea near triple transfer announcement as Lyon gift Mauricio Pochettino £111m chance
