Mount signs, James role, new striker joins: Mauricio Pochettino’s dream Chelsea XI for 2023/24
Mauricio Pochettino looks set to become Chelsea’s new head coach. The Argentine has emerged as the front-runner for the role after Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann both dropped out last week and now the former Tottenham boss is expected to be the new man in the dugout.
Although his true arrival isn’t likely to come until next season, the appointment would be a precursor for the new campaign as Frank Lampard continues to act as a placeholder in charge. For Pochettino it will be his first job in nearly 12 months after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.
Such is the crazy nature of the French giants even the bloated squad, fractured fanbase and undperforming players at Stamford Bridge could prove to be a walk in the park. That itself might be slight hyperbole but the point stands, Pochettino has been around the block after his time in Paris.
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His relative success at Spurs – no trophy but their best manager in the modern era – was far from guaranteed when he walked through the door. It was a side without Gareth Bale and with a series of transfer mistakes to overturn (sound familiar?) as well as instilling an identity and culture that had been missing.
These are all factors that make him a good candidate for the pressure-cooker environment that Stamford Bridge serves up for its bosses. Especially as a boss of the old enemy, there will be little leeway afforded to Pochettino early on but that may not matter.
His pedigree as a coach that is able to develop players and get the best from his group is one that will attract Chelsea, who need to sell more than buy in the summer. With that said, there’s a strong group already at SW6 that could be of some immediate help.
Here’s just one way in which he could line-up come next season.
Edward Mendy
Although Kepa Arrizabalaga has been favoured for most of this season Mendy is an experienced head and someone who would give Pochettino a solid base to build off. There’s a chance he leaves in the summer but given what Hugo Lloris provided from the back a similar role could be given to Mendy here.
Reece James
Full-backs are an instrumental part of the game-plan under Pochettino and his reliance on energy, hard-running and physicality make James the perfect option. It was Kyle Walker and Danny Rose that elevated Tottenham to a new level and James is already on an elite plane.
Wesley Fofana
The Frenchman is everything Pochettino admires in a defender. He’s quick, smart and technically astute. In a high-pressing team, someone with Fofana’s ability to catch-up to forwards is a big asset to have.
Benoit Badiashile
The pair together are one of the best Under-23 centre-back duos on the planet and both possess high potential that will attract Pochettino. At Spurs, he had Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen grow into one of the standout partnerships and the same will be in his sights here.
Ben Chilwell
The Rose to James’ Walker. Chilwell is a must-have in any team and although Marc Cucurella may be looking forward to working under a new coach, it is the Englishman who is first choice.
Enzo Fernandez
The fulcrum of Pochettino teams comes from the midfield as a true engine room. Players like Marco Veratti, Moussa Dembele and Victor Wanyama were the true centre of activity. Often functional rather than flashy, a player like Fernandez offers the chance to dictate and dominate as well as overwhelm.
N’Golo Kante – The Best Of N’Golo Kante
He is a must have for any side and no matter the manager, Kante has been a crucial player. In a double-pivot or a midfield three he will be the forward presser and tempo-setter off the ball. Pochettino’s demands for covering ground suit Kante but may also stretch him physically.
Mason Mount
On paper, Mount looks like an archetypal Pochettino player. He is relentless with his energy and occupies spaces between midfield and attack in a similar vein to Christian Eriksen at Tottenham. The 24-year-old also fits the mould of Dele Alli at Spurs and could become a willing runner in-behind.
With contract talks still to be had, the arrival of Pochettino could be a game-changer for Mount.
Mykailo Mudryk
Although natural width has not been a common factor in past teams, Mudryk’s direct nature and ability to finish off either foot makes him a standout player for the new campaign. It is reported that he has been singled out as one of the players Pochettino has a clear plan with.
If Chelsea can see a similar improvement to him as happened with Son Heung-Min then they’re on for a good time.
Christopher Nkunku
One of the new additions yet to announced, the attacker is set to join for next season and will add much needed attacking impoetus to a blunt, confidence-lacking and toothless frontline.
As a player that runs in-behind and scores a lot of goals from positions that aren’t as an orthodox striker it is exactly the type of player that fits a Pochettino system.
Armando Broja
Perhaps the biggest area of the pitch that needs new additions. Chelsea still lack a clinical striker and Broja has not yet shown himself to be that but the youngster has shown plenty of promise.
As a focal point in attack it offers plenty to work on, albeit raw ability, and his power off the ball will be admired by Pochettino.
Mendy; James, Fly, Badiashile, Chillwell; Fernandez, Kante, Mount, Mudryk, Nkunku, Broja
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