MY ACCOUNT
Mauricio Pochettino is set to become the next Chelsea manager and if he does, he will have a number of problems to solve.
The Blues are currently on their fourth boss of the season and are without a win in nine games.
Currently 12th in the Premier League, this looks likely to be the first time that the club have finished in the bottom half of the table since 1996.
Ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Bournemouth, we take a look at the main issues Pochettino would face.
Squad complexion
Chelsea have spent over £600million on transfers since being taken over by Todd Boehly’s consortium.
There will be no European football on the menu next season. In many ways, this will be an advantage to Pochettino but only if he can successfully trim the severely bloated squad.
Too many first-team talents sitting on the sidelines without playing time will only lead to discontent.
During his first season at Tottenham, the Argentine got rid of a number of squad members that he thought were disruptive.
He will look to do the same at Stamford Bridge, while also shedding those who are not up to the task, or are in positions where the squad is top heavy.
Yet as much as the West Londoners need to downsize, there are areas that still need reinforcing, despite the massive expenditure.
Most notably, the team are short of a reliable goalscorer to lead the attack.
Low mood
The good news for Chelsea is that Poch proved at Spurs that he is able to find solutions from within.
Players such as Kyle Walker, Danny Rose and Mousa Dembele improved immeasurably under the South American coach.
He solved a midfield issue by moving Eric Dier from defence and introduced youngsters such as Dele Alli and Harry Kane to the side.
So there is every chance that what now seem like problem areas for the Blues, might soon become strengths.
Players like the feeling that they are improving and they tend to enjoy working under Pochettino.
At teams as different as Southampton, Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain, the 51-year-old has been a popular figure with his squad.
After a miserable season at Stamford Bridge, for players and fans alike, Poch’s positivity and engaging personality could give a major boost to the mood at the club.
Find goals
Chelsea are the fifth lowest scorers in the Premier League this season with just 31 goals from 33 games.
The lack of strikers in their squad is well documented but that is only half the story. Midfielder Mason Mount had his most prolific campaign for the club last season with 13 goals but currently has three.
Raheem Sterling arrived at the Bridge having hit double figures in each of his nine previous seasons. So far he has seven goals for the Blues.
Chelsea will need to add at least one striker to their squad this summer but just as important is to establish a clear playing style and attacking plan.
After four managers in a season, any sense of identity has long since vanished, with Frank Lampard frequently changing formation and personnel, as he looks to luck upon a winning formula.
If his time at Saints and Spurs is anything to go by, Pochettino will get this squad super-fit and soon impose an identifiable, high-pressing style.
