Mauricio Pochettino reveals his game-changing plan for guaranteed success at Chelsea

Chelsea, once again, dominates the summer transfer window as they have outspent all other Premier League clubs for the third consecutive time. They have already secured the signings of 12 players, surpassing the impressive 19 additions from the previous season.

Chelsea's extensive squad revamp has garnered attention throughout Europe, prompting rivals to closely monitor their adherence to Financial Fair Play regulations. The team's instability has played a role in the departures of Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, and Frank Lampard. However, Mauricio Pochettino, the fifth head coach appointed during Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali's ownership, remains unperturbed by the substantial transformation of his team.

Pochettino revealed in an exclusive interview that the notion was conceived by Paul [Winstanley] and Laurence [Stewart], the sporting directors, as well as the club. The discussion took place prior to Chelsea's upcoming match against Luton, which will be broadcast live on Friday Night Football.

Chelsea

Luton Town

Friday 25th August 7:00pm

Kick off 8:00pm

"They presented the project of the club, with players in and players out. When I accepted, I accepted knowing what was going to happen in the squad."

Chelsea's squad has experienced a significant decrease in average age. Their recent additions consist solely of players under 25, with only Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell, and Raheem Sterling being 26 or older. In contrast, nine members of Manchester City's team that secured the Champions League title in the previous season were above the age of 25. Additionally, the Real Madrid squad, champions a year prior, included eight players in that age group.

Pochettino, upon arrival, expressed that the demanding expectations at Chelsea necessitate his team to secure victories. However, does he not harbor apprehension regarding the dearth of experience within his grasp?

He clarifies, "It is crucial to strike a harmonious equilibrium. We possess young players who possess both experience and skill."

Pochettino is unfazed by Chelsea's start to the season, stating that he is not worried despite his team only managing to secure a single point from their first two matches.

The Ecuadorian, Moises Caicedo - signed for a British record fee of £115m from Brighton - had a disastrous debut from the bench during their latest match, a frustrating 3-1 loss to West Ham where he even conceded a penalty. However, Pochettino firmly believes in Caicedo's abilities, and Chelsea is undoubtedly hopeful that he can emulate the success of a beloved former player.

"I haven't had the opportunity to work with Kante, but Caicedo, on the other hand, is undoubtedly one of the finest midfielders in the Premier League," Pochettino acknowledged when questioned about the potential of the 21-year-old to step into the shoes vacated by the French footballer.

"While there are certain similarities between him and Kante, Moises is still at a tender age and must dedicate himself earnestly towards enhancing various aspects of his game."

"But he has the potential to become one of the top performers."

Pairing Caicedo with Enzo Fernandez, the player he took over from as the most expensive in British history in just seven months, is an exciting prospect – and Pochettino is committed to unleashing the full potential of his fellow Argentine.

Fernandez frequently played as a holding midfielder under Potter and Lampard, but Pochettino wasted no time in discussing with the World Cup winner the reasons for the shift in his position. Pochettino firmly asserted that Fernandez is a No 8. Our initial conversation centered around his preferred position and his level of comfort, followed by a discussion about his exceptional skills.

"He requires certain liberties. He possesses the ability to support and execute long-range shots."

Pochettino has not only made changes to the midfield. In the previous season, Kai Havertz was often utilized as an unwilling pseudo-striker, however, the head coach seems to have entrusted a contrasting player in Nicolas Jackson.

According to Pochettino, he possesses the ability to function both as a conventional striker in the penalty area and as a player who operates outside of it. Pochettino also highlights his technical prowess, as he can successfully connect with his teammates during the team's buildup play, while also employing his speed to launch attacking runs behind the opposition's defensive line.

Jackson appears to be a promising talent, but Chelsea is facing a dilemma when it comes to identifying the players who assist in creating his goals. Mason Mount, who was the only Chelsea player to feature in the top 20 for assists in the Premier League over the last three seasons, has now moved to Manchester United.

In the meantime, due to injuries to Christopher Nkunku and Carney Chukwuemeka, both key contributors, Pochettino acknowledges the need for his team to make up for their absence. "We have options in Gallagher and Enzo, both capable of playing as attacking midfielders or forwards. We will adjust accordingly."

Pochettino's ability to adapt to various situations has been evident throughout his short tenure in west London.

Upon his arrival, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy were designated as his goalkeepers. However, within a few weeks, the head coach has identified Robert Sanchez, who was previously released by Brighton last season but has now become the uncontested number one goalkeeper after joining Chelsea this summer.

"We encountered these circumstances upon our arrival," reflected Pochettino. "It is a significant challenge for Robert to embrace the role of being the number one goalkeeper here."

"He hails from Brighton, where he experienced a challenging season. However, it appears that the club has unwavering faith in him, and we share that belief."

"Levi Colwill, a fellow teammate of Sanchez's during his time in Brighton, is also thriving under Pochettino's trust. He has seamlessly integrated himself into the Blues' defensive lineup."

The unit has garnered attention in the initial weeks of the season due to Pochettino's tactical deployment. When not in possession, it features a four-player defence, which seamlessly transforms into a three-player formation upon regaining the ball.

Pochettino elucidates that the tactic implemented involves Chilwell transitioning into a left winger, while Colwill, Thiago Silva, and Axel Disasi continue to hold their defensive positions. This approach grants his team a foundation to initiate possession starting from the back. He further states, "When facing the specific teams we have encountered, utilizing a formation of three defenders may be more advantageous.

"However, on occasion, we will employ a back four or even two defenders, accompanied by varying midfielders. Our constant endeavor is to identify the most optimal technique to maintain fluidity and swiftly move the ball beyond the opponent's initial line of pressure."

Chelsea dominated possession in their matches against Liverpool and West Ham but only have one point to show for it. Pochettino acknowledges that his team must learn from their experience at the London Stadium before facing the formidable Luton side, whom he describes as "amazing." He emphasizes the importance of staying focused and building on the positives while working on areas that need improvement.

"It's going to be a challenging match against Luton, a highly physical team that excels in various aspects of the game. We are well aware of the obstacles we will face. Our approach must be competitive and focused, both in our playing style and defensive tactics.

"Our objective is to progress from our performance last week and ultimately secure the three points. However, what truly matters is the manner in which we play, not just the end result."

Pochettino remains unworried about a winless start, as he maintains an unwavering belief in the potential of his players.

"It's a wonderful sensation, yet it proves challenging to quantify," he remarks. "Persistence remains our motto and the team exhibits an unwavering dedication to our desired style of play.

"It’s an ongoing journey. Patience is essential, but undoubtedly, our future is destined for remarkable triumph."

Stream Chelsea vs Luton and more on We with NOW for just £26 a month for 12 months. Cancel anytime.