August 13 at 4.30pm - the countdown until the start of Chelsea's season is locked in. Mauricio Pochettino will open his Blues account in the Premier League against Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
The season may have not long ended and the transfer window has not even been open for two days but now attention is firmly fixed on the 2023/24 season. The Blues' squad still needs whittling down to a more manageable number with Pochettino potentially overseeing a team that has undergone a great deal of turnover.
Sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart will have a hefty challenge to prepare the squad for the opening day, with still weeks of the transfer window remaining. Bringing in new faces for Pochettino to work with from the off will be crucial after the last-minute deals of last term included Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Zakaria.
football.london takes a look at the team Pochettino could name in his first home match in charge.
Recent seasons have shown how difficult it has been to move Kepa Arrizabalaga on from the club, and the goalkeeper had a solid season amidst Chelsea's struggles. It would be no major surprise to see him lining up in goal against the Reds, despite a new stopper being on the Blues' shopping list.
Providing they are fit, Reece James and Ben Chilwell can be considered easy choices on the defensive flanks as Pochettino opts for four at the back, while Wesley Fofana and Thiago Silva could be the figures in the centre of defence. Levi Colwill's presence at the under-21 Euros will see his pre-season preparation shortened in comparison to his teammates, while Benoit Badiashile will hopefully be building up to full fitness.
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Enzo Fernandez is another non-negotiable and he could be joined in the centre of the pitch by a new signing. Moises Caicedo is one of Chelsea's primary targets as they look to transform their midfield. While Arsenal offer competition, their deliberations over Declan Rice will perhaps offer Chelsea a greater chance to swoop and to get the deal done in preparation for the season.
Ahead of them, Christian Nkunku could soon be pulling strings and threatening the Liverpool backline with Raheem Sterling providing a threat from the wing having had a fully-rested summer after missing England's internationals. With departures of Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech expected, Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke will be competing for the other spot on the wing, or perhaps Carney Chukwuemeka could be an option to operate more centrally.
Chelsea's January signings are most likely to share the minutes after both being involved at the under-21 Euros with Madueke given the nod and Mudryk used to target tired legs.
The big question will be: who will they be supporting? The prospect of Kai Havertz to Arsenal will see Pochettino without the Chelsea player who featured more than any other. Completing a deal for a new forward has proved difficult for Chelsea to do in time for the first match of the season with Romelu Lukaku and Aubameyang. That could see Armando Broja handed the keys as he makes a comeback from the injury he suffered in December.
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