Mauricio Pochettino still has work to do as he bids to turn around Chelsea’s fortunes following a disastrous season, but he has signaled his frustration with the club’s transfer chiefs
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Mauricio Pochettino has signalled his unhappiness at Chelsea’s decision to make Lesley Ugochukwu their next signing.
The Blues have agreed a £23.5million with Rennes for the 19-year-old, who will sign a long-term contract with the Premier League side. But it appears that he will immediately be sent out on loan rather than being brought into Pochettino’s first-team squad.
Given the upheaval at Stamford Bridge this summer, with Mason Mount, N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic all leaving, Pochettino is desperate for midfield recruits. The Argentine will instead have to wait for those reinforcements, with the Blues pressing ahead with a different strategy.
The signing of Ugochukwu is the latest in a move to bring in talented under-21 players. But Pochettino has hinted that the decision to bring in the Frenchman was not his call.
“Also with midfield, if you add a 19-year-old is that okay? I think you’re still talking about, we need experience in midfield,” he said after Sunday’s win over Fulham, which secured the Blues the Premier League’s Summer Series.
“I have the information you have. My information is a player that is from France that maybe they sign with the idea to send on loan. The information was already in your laptop. If I say numbers I can create a problem.
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Lesley Ugochukwu is set to join Chelsea (
Image:
Philippe Le Brech/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
“For me it’s important, the club is working really hard to improve all of the areas, the right profiles to make the squad strong. The club is working really hard to find the right profile.”
Ever since Todd Boehly assumed control of the Blues in May 2022, Chelsea have pursued a strategy of signing up-and-coming prospects. Ugochukwu joins a list that includes midfielders Cesare Casadei and Andrey Santos, as well as striker David Datro Fofana.
Last season was his second full season in the first team at Rennes, also earning a call-up to France’s Under-19s national side. He made 35 appearances from defensive midfield, to help them to finish fourth in Ligue 1.
His performances appear to have secured him a move to Stamford Bridge, but with Pochettino confirming he will not immediately feature in his plans, Ugochukwu is unlikely to be with his new teammates for long.
Pochettino has been left with few experienced faces in his squad after Chelsea’s summer business. The problem is particularly acute in midfield, with the Argentine left relying on Enzo Fernandes and Conor Gallagher as his senior players in the position.
