Mauricio Pochettino has pinpointed the five Chelsea stars he want to rebuild the team around as he closes in on being appointed as the club's next manager. The Argentine has been out of a job since he left Paris Saint-Germain following their Ligue 1 title success in the 2021/22 season.
However, football.london understands that the Blues have agreed a deal to make Pochettino the club's new manager. Following positive talks and negotiations between the two parties, the former Tottenham boss is set to replace Frank Lampard at the end of the season.
Todd Boehly is looking to sell a number of players this summer as he aims to trim down the senior squad. There are a few contract concerns facing the Blues with N'Golo Kante's current deal set to expire this summer. football.london understands Mason Mount remains in talks over a new contract at Stamford Bridge, but Liverpool remain seriously interested in signing the 24-year-old.
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The Mirror state that the Argentine wants to keep Kante at Chelsea despite Barcelona, PSG and Bayern Munich all being interested in signing the Frenchman on a free transfer. Pochettino is keen on replicating his rebuilds at Southampton and Tottenham by securing a defensive platform in the team before worrying about the attack.
Chelsea see Kante as a pivotal player in providing the protection Pochettino will need in front of the back four - especially after the Blues' shocking 2022/23 campaign, a large portion of which the Frenchman has missed due to injury. Young defenders Benoit Badiashile and Levi Colwill are thought to be safe from being put up for sale this summer, along with full-backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell.
Colwill has impressed in bursts during his loan spell with Brighton this year and Chelsea are hoping he snubs interest from Manchester City and Liverpool this summer to remain at Stamford Bridge and become a regular first-team player. Pochettino is looking to make a change in the goalkeeper position with Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga failing to show they deserve to be starting long-term for the Blues.
The former Spurs and PSG boss would also like to add a new central midfielder and striker to support the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Kante, Raheem Sterling, Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk. Christopher Nkunku is set to complete a move to Chelsea this summer after signing a pre-contract agreement with the Blues earlier this season, as football.london reported last year.
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