In a surprising turn, Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea's upcoming manager, has shown faith in Kepa Arrizabalaga, the Blues' goalkeeper. Pochettino's decision has altered Chelsea's approach to transfers, giving Kepa a new lease on life in the upcoming season. The Spanish goalkeeper, who joined Chelsea for $87m in 2018, has two years left in his contract, and Pochettino aims to maximize his potential.
The potential recruitment of Inter Milan's Andre Onana was put on hold, giving Manchester United an upper hand in acquiring the footballer's services1. Chelsea's focus now shifts to sourcing a reliable second option to challenge Kepa, with Valencia's Giorgi Mamardashvili being a potential target. Edouard Mendy is set to make way for the new arrival, engaging in talks with Al Ahli for a three-year deal1.
Simultaneously, the Blues are making steady progress on the offensive front. Nicolas Jackson, the 21-year-old Senegalese striker from Villarreal, is on the brink of signing with Chelsea after agreeing on terms last week. With a price tag of $38.1m set by his release clause, Jackson's signing could be a cost-effective solution, especially given his current form of 10 goals in his last 11 games.
Meanwhile, Chelsea's pursuit of Moises Caicedo, Brighton's rising star, has hit a roadblock with their initial bid of $60m rejected. The Blues, however, remain optimistic about acquiring the 21-year-old Ecuadorian midfielder, despite the increased asking price of $100m.
Pochettino's revamped strategy also implies a mass exodus of players from Stamford Bridge. High-profile names like Romelu Lukaku, Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, N'Golo Kante, Marc Cucurella, and Hakim Ziyech are all set to exit. Manchester City's interest in Mateo Kovacic and the joint attention from United and Arsenal on Kai Havertz add to the growing list of potential departures.
The reshuffle indicates Chelsea's intent to balance out experience and emerging talent in their squad while adhering to the financial constraints of the market. Pochettino's strategy may be unconventional, but it certainly promises an intriguing season for Chelsea fans.
