Chelsea boss Pochettino issues warning to club’s owners

Chelsea continued their unbeaten pre-season run with a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United on Thursday morning. 

New signing Nicolas Jackson put the Blues ahead in the Premier League Super Series game – his second goal in as many matches – before Miguel Almiron drew the Magpies level.

New manager Mauricio Pochettino will be pleased with his side’s performances so far this summer, with the Blues having beaten Wrexham and Brighton and Hove Albion in the past couple of weeks.

Chelsea have allowed several players to leave the club so far this summer, but it appears that Pochettino is keen to offload more members of his current squad.

As reported by 90min, the Argentine has warned those in charge of the club that they are at risk of a squad ‘mess’ if more players aren’t sold.

Todd Boehly took charge of the West London club last summer and spent more than £500 million during his first two transfer windows, completing 15 permanent signings.

His huge spending didn’t have the desired effect, though, as managers Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Frank Lampard all struggled to cope with the Blues’ huge 33-man playing squad last term.

This summer several first team players have left Stamford Bridge, but a number of stars have also returned from loan spells and both Jackson and Christopher Nkunku have been signed.

That has left Pochettino with a squad of 29 players, and the Argentine has warned the club’s owners that more sales are needed.

“We need to add players, as maybe in another position we miss some players and in that position we have four and sometimes the squad is unbalanced,” he said.

“We need to build a balanced squad to have the possibility to compete for a position, but not have players who are going to be the third or fourth option to play.”

Midfield will be a particular concern for Pochettino, with N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek having all left the club during the current transfer window.

That has left Conor Gallagher as the club’s most experienced central midfielder, with club record signing Enzo Fernandez and youngster Carney Chukwuemeka other options for the former Tottenham Hotspur boss.