The THREE Players That Pochettino Could Sign As Next Chelsea Boss Looks For New Spine

Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly keen on adding a group of experienced players to Chelsea’s team if he is appointed the club’s next manager.

It is believed that the Argentine is happy to work with the young squad that has been recruited over the past couple of transfer windows but he is looking to have a spine that includes some wiser, older heads.

With that being the case, Pochettino is said to be eyeing a goalkeeper, a new midfielder and a number nine to supplement the current group of players.

Press the next page as we look at the three possible signings that the former Tottenham and PSG head coach could make.

David Raya (Brentford)

Inter Milan’s Andre Onana has been heavily linked with the Blues in recent days but there are some reports that suggest Pochettino is not a big fan of the Cameroon international.

Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel and Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili have been mentioned as potential alternatives but they are not experienced enough to be a suitable replacement for either Kepa or Edouard Mendy.

Raya, on the other hand, is about to hit his peak years as a goalkeeper. The Spaniard will turn 28 in September and he has made over 250 appearances in English football. Due to his contract situation, he shouldn’t cost a great deal either.

Joao Palhinha (Fulham)

With no Champions League football, signing West Ham captain Declan Rice is not a realistic ambition, considering that the likes of Arsenal are also keen on the midfielder.

Alternative targets such as Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, Southampton’s Romeo Lavia and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Manu Kone lack the necessary experience that Pochettino is seeking.

Palhinha, meanwhile, is 27 years of age and he has already spent a season acclimatising to the Premier League, where he has excelled as a holding midfielder. He would be the perfect foil for Enzo Fernandez who could be unleashed further up the pitch.

Ivan Toney (Brentford)

The second Bees player on this list, but the striker would be a much better option than the likes of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen or Juventus’s Dusan Vlahovic.

Neither of those players has experience of playing as a striker in English football, and they will likely cost a lot more than Toney in the transfer market as well.

Of course, the big elephant in the room is the 27-year-old’s potential ban for betting infringements but, if he is available for the start of next season, he should be considered as a genuine option by Pochettino.