Mauricio Pochettino – CaughtOffside

England international to spark £80m bidding war between Arsenal and Chelsea

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 07:20:49 +0000

The fortunes of both Arsenal and Chelsea in the second half of the Premier League season could be dictated by their dealings in the upcoming transfer window.

At present it’s fair to say that the Gunners are in a healthier position than the Blues, however, the 2023/24 season is still only 10 games old.

With 28 games left to play, that’s a whopping 84 points to play for. Once Mauricio Pochettino gets his side to click, there’s every chance that they’ll climb back into the upper echelons of the Premier League table.

That could be easier to achieve with Brentford’s Ivan Toney in situ.

The England international forward will be champing at the bit to play after eight months out and for £80m, according to the Evening Standard, any other club stands a chance of seeing the hit-man line up for them in the second half of the campaign.

If there’s one thing that Toney guarantees it’s goals.

Chelsea are still suffering in that regard so their need for a proven scorer is obvious, whilst his goals could help push Arsenal forward to their first title in 20 years.

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It isn’t clear at this point with one, either or neither will place a bid for Toney’s services, but it’s not often that a player of his calibre comes onto the market at what is a relative bargain in terms of fees by today’s standards.

At 27 years of age, he remains in his prime as a player, albeit with a little rust after so long out of the game.

Let battle commence…

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Man United’s pursuit of Chelsea ace could kick-start defensive merry-go-round

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 06:47:56 +0000

The winter transfer window could be a really interesting one for both Man United and Chelsea given that they both appear to be looking at the same targets to bring to their clubs in January.

As CaughtOffside columnist, Fabrizio Romano, wrote in his exclusive Daily Briefing, the Red Devils and the Blues are hunting for high-quality centre-backs in order to shore up their defences.

Given that real top-level players in that position are hard to come by, there’s a very real prospect of them trying to outbid each other for the same targets.

In one case in particular, a trade between the Premier League pair could be possible.

What next for Trevoh Chalobah?

Romano noted that Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah will leave the club, even though the 24-year-old’s preference is to stay.

There appears to be no place for him under Mauricio Pochettino and therefore his future lies elsewhere.

According to TeamTalk, that could open the door for United who would challenge Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund for his signature.

It’s believed that Chalobah’s preference is to stay in the Premier League, and to that end, Erik ten Hag could well steal a march on his rivals.

With two months still to go until the January transfer window opens, however, there’s plenty that can happen in the meantime.

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Mauricio Pochettino says huge star set to return to Chelsea’s starting 11 on Wednesday

Darren Looney — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 20:35:12 +0000

Chelsea host Blackburn Rovers in the Carabao Cup last 16 on Wednesday night and Mauricio Pochettino has stated that one of his best players is set to return to the starting 11.

Club captain Reece James has not started a match for the Blues since August after picking up an injury in the first game of the season against Liverpool but Pochettino has said that the full-back will start against Blackburn on Wednesday.

Speaking about his team selection at his press conference on Tuesday, Pochettino discussed James’ return and stated via the Evening Standard: “I can confirm he is going to start.

“The captain is ready. It’s good for the team, it’s good for him to start from the beginning. We can see after, checking always how he is performing.”

Reece James will start against Blackburn

Napoli’s personal concession to Osimhen could see Liverpool and Chelsea disappointed

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 09:01:27 +0000

The case of Victor Osimhen and Napoli is a strange one indeed, given that the club are believed to have offered him the highest salary in club history but then mocked him on social media.

That’s not the way to treat your best players and from Osimhen’s own point of view, he’ll know that he could walk into just about any other side in European football and improve them, so it would very much be Napoli’s loss were that to happen.

It’s a story that does appear to get stranger by the day too.

The official Napoli website were even forced into making a statement after club president, Aurelio De Laurentiis had suggested that Osimhen wasn’t interested in signing the new contract offered.

Where next for Victor Osimhen?

The statement simply confirmed that the president hadn’t said anything negative about the player, but the fact that the club felt it needed to clarify the position is a strange one indeed.

Now, however, things could be set to work out between club and player, which would disappoint both Liverpool and Chelsea.

The Reds were linked with a move for Osimhen by the Mirror whilst the Blues interest is noted by ESPN.

According to Il Mattino (h/t Fichajes), the concession by the club to allow Osimhen to visit Nigeria for a few days has softened the relationship between the parties and has given rise to the notion that the player may once again be willing to commit his future to the Partnopei.

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Chelsea face uphill battle to land world-class 20-year-old with four other Premier League clubs circling

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 08:01:42 +0000

Once the January transfer window comes around, there’s bound to be movement from the blue half of west London as Chelsea attack the market once more.

It’s become something of a theme of Todd Boehly’s ownership that he needs to flex when the game’s best talent becomes available.

Though he certainly can’t be accused of not backing his managers in the transfer market, there’s a cogent argument as to whether the club’s current transfer policy is the best way of doing business.

In any event the wheels already appear to be being set in motion for one player that’s yet to be put on the market by his current club.

That’s because Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz is clearly one of the top young talents in European football, and any team would benefit by having him in their side.

TeamTalk note that Chelsea are showing the most interest in him, but he’s also being monitored by Man City, Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle.

Bayern Munich and Barcelona are also mentioned as possible destinations for the 20-year-old.

Despite his relatively young age, Wirtz has played for the German national team on 12 occasions (per TeamTalk) and very obviously has the brightest of futures in the game.

It remains to be seen whether Leverkusen can hang onto him, with perhaps the future of coach, Xabi Alonso, tied into Wirtz’s.

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Chelsea have already found their long-term replacement for Kepa

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 07:36:40 +0000

It seems fairly clear that Chelsea don’t have the fullest confidence in Robert Sanchez given that strong rumours suggest the Blues are looking elsewhere for their long-term Kepa replacement.

It’s believed that Kepa, currently on a season-long loan with Real Madrid, prefers to stay in the Spanish capital rather than move back to west London.

Though Sanchez is in situ for the time being, some high profile errors haven’t helped his candidacy in terms of making the number one jersey his own.

To that end, 90Min (h/t Fichajes) suggest that the Blues are running the rule over Athletic Club de Bilbao and Spain number one, Unai Simon.

At this stage it isn’t clear if Athletic would entertain the possibility of losing the custodian, and even if they were open to the possibility, how much it would cost the Blues to prise him from Los Leones.

Not that finances appear to bother owner, Todd Boehly.

If a deal can be done which still falls within the bounds of Financial Fair Play, and Mauricio Pochettino indicates a willingness to bring the player in, the likelihood is that Boehly and his board will go all out to make it happen.

Any switch isn’t likely to take place until next summer at the earliest, when a permanent deal for Kepa to Real Madrid can be ratified.

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Chelsea set for £50m loss on one player as club’s poor transfer policy exposed again

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 06:10:05 +0000

Chelsea are hopefully on the way to building themselves a title-winning side under Mauricio Pochettino, though any supporters of the club will have to accept that it will take time to deliver.

As long as owner, Todd Boehly, gives the Argentinian the time he needs, there’s every chance that he will be able to bring success back to Stamford Bridge.

In the meantime there are still likely to be some questionable decisions made in the transfer market by the Blues, perhaps none more so than the situation the club find themselves in with Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The keeper is on a season-long loan at Real Madrid and has enjoyed a relatively comfortable start to his life in the Spanish capital.

Kepa Arrizabalaga

So much so that he apparently wants to stay there, and according to The Sun, Los Blancos are not prepared to pay any more than £17.5m for his services because of his age and contract situation.

Given that the Spaniard cost the club a world record £71.6m, that would represent a loss of over £50m for the west Londoners.

Such a loss on one player would be hard to stomach at any time, perhaps more so at present with Chelsea still trying to keep within the bounds of Financial Fair Play.

Surely the question has to be asked as to when the haphazard nature of their buying and selling will even out and give Pochettino some semblance of calmness during the transfer windows…

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(Video) Simon Jordan makes surprise Chelsea and Pochettino prediction

Andrew Walker — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 15:15:34 +0000

Pundit and former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan firmly believes that Chelsea will win the Premier League title within the next few years.

Since Todd Boehly succeeded former owner Roman Abramovich in May last year, the American business tycoon, across three windows, has spent an eye-watering £940 million on transfers with notable signings including Mykhailo Mudryk for £88.5 million and Enzo Fernandez for £106.8 million.

However, despite the club’s huge spending, last season saw the side finish 12th. They have also managed just three wins from their first 10 games this term. Irrespective of their poor form since Boehly’s takeover though, Jordan is backing the Blues to soon lift the country’s most prestigious title.

Pundit claims Chelsea will win the Premier League in the next 2-3 years

Connor Holden — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 13:30:57 +0000

talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan has claimed Chelsea will win the league under new owner Todd Boehly in the next 2-3 years.

Jordan started by saying “there is no doubt about it, Chelsea will get there”, stating it’s about whether Mauricio Pochettino can take them there.

He went on to make the point that he believed Pochettino would never take them to the title, but would take them to the point of operating in the top four.

Chelsea team news vs Blackburn

Connor Holden — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 12:47:24 +0000

Chelsea take on Blackburn in the Carabao Cup (Round of 16) on Wednesday, 1st of November, at Stamford Bridge, at 19:45 PM (GMT).

The last time these sides faced, Chelsea beat Blackburn 2-1 back in 2012. Goals from John Terry and Raul Meireles for Chelsea, and a goal from Yakubu for Blackburn.

Chelsea won their last Carabao Cup game, beating Brighton 1-0 at Stamford Bridge to progress to the next round. The only goal being scored by Nicolas Jackson in the 50th minute to secure the victory.

Blackburn beat Cardiff City 5-2 to progress to the next round of the Carabao Cup. Goals coming from Jake Garrett, Arnor Sigurdsson, Andrew Moran (x2) and Dilan Markanday for Blackburn, and goals from Callum Robinson and Kion Etete for Cardiff.

How to watch Chelsea vs Blackburn

Date: Wednesday, November 1st, 2023
Kickoff: 19:45 PM (GMT)
TV Network: Not broadcast in UK
Venue: Stamford Bridge

Team News:

Chelsea will remain without the likes of Wesley Fofana, Ben Chilwell, Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku, Armando Broja, Trevoh Chalobah and Carney Chukwuemeka through injury, whilst Benoit Badiashile could return for his first start since his injury.

Predicted XI:

Chelsea: Sanchez, Cucurella, Badiashile, Disasi, Gusto, Ugochukwu, Fernandez, Gallagher, Mudryk, Madueke, Jackson.

Blackburn: Wahlstedt, Pickering, Wharton, Carter, Hill, Tronstad, Sigurdsson, Szmodics, Rankin-Costello, Brittain, Dolan.

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