Roy Keane tore into Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana after Micah Richards highlighted the former Leicester man as a player who could be pivotal under Mauricio Pochettino.
The Blues finally brought the curtain down on a rotten campaign with a 1-1 draw against Newcastle on Sunday; a result which ensured the Londoners finished the Premier League season in 12th place.
After parting company with Graham Potter back in April, Chelsea's fortunes did not improve under the guidance of caretaker boss Frank Lampard. But with the 2022/23 campaign now done, Pochettino is expected to be confirmed as the Blues' new head coach imminently after reportedly putting pen-to-paper on a contract.
The highly-rated Argentine coach will have no shortage of star power in the bloated squad he inherits, and Richards told Sky Sports that he believes Pochettino will get the Londoners back into the top-four.
‘I think Chelsea are going to be really good next season under Poch. Top four, challenging maybe a little bit more. The players that they’ve got, Christopher Nkunku coming in. They need a striker, they’ll get that sorted, but I think Chelsea will be challenging big next season."
Richards then went on to pinpoint Fofana as a player who has the scope to become a key player under Pochettino next season. But that claim didn't go down well with Keane, as the bemused Irishman quipping: "Who?! He’s been dreadful, he’s been dreadful!"
Jamie Carragher then took the opportunity to chime in and pointed out the Frenchman's injury record since moving to Stamford Bridge for big bucks from Leicester.
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He added: "He’s always injured! I think [Enzo] Fernandez has got great pedigree. The goalkeeper is a problem, they’ve got no striker, [Nkunku] might come in and make a difference, Mykhaylo Mudryk has obviously come in for a lot of money, he’s got pedigree but…"
Keane agreed with Carragher over the Blues' goalkeeping issues: Kepa Arrizabalaga has been No.1 for the majority of the season but neither he nor Edouard Mendy have inspired confidence. It's been reported that Pochettino is targeting a new goalkeeper.
Chelsea have been heavily linked with Inter Milan shot-stopper Andre Onana while The Mirror understands that the club are also admirers of Aston Villa No.1 Emiliano Martine z.
One of Kepa or Mendy is likely to exit Stamford Bridge if Pochettino does acquire a new goalkeeper. A host of other players are also expected to quit the Blues - including academy graduate Mason Mount, who was spotted looking glum on the pitch after the conclusion of Sunday's match. The midfielder has been unable to agree a new contract with the club and has been tipped to join Manchester United this summer.
