Mauricio Pochettino sets new triple Chelsea plan after £71m decision changes transfer priority

Mauricio Pochettino may have indirectly changed Chelsea's entire summer transfer plan with just one key decision. Prior to the opening of the window, signing a new striker, central midfielder and goalkeeper appeared as the obvious priorities but with the trading period now open for nearly a week that is no longer the plan at Stamford Bridge.

Following a mass spending spree totalling around £600million with 17 players signing contracts, sanctioning exits is of high importance this summer. The acquisition of numerous stars wanting immediate first-team football has significantly upset the balance of the squad which looks set to result in at least seven long-serving members leaving the club.

Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, N'Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy and Hakim Ziyech are all in negotiations to sign for other teams, while Kalidou Koulibaly, who only arrived at the club last summer, could also join them in departing.