With less than two weeks left in the transfer window, Chelsea may have more business to deal with after signing Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo
Mauricio Pochettino has sent a stern message to his Chelsea stars following another summer of transfer deals at the club. The Blues’ squad has been overhauled with the departures of the likes of Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, N\’Golo Kante and Kai Havertz, and the club’s post-takeover spend in May 2022 has reached £900m.
Chelsea’s latest signing has seen Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo join the club for £173m, with the West London outfit now facing competition in most areas of the squad despite the prospect of more business. However, Lewis Hall looks set to leave the Blues for Newcastle, with Chelsea charging a sales fee once the transfer is complete.
Chelsea’s participation in the summer season is unlikely, but Pochettino admitted he is happy with the current size of his squad. During pre-season, Pochettino has made it clear that he wants his players to feel like they’re playing for the good of the team, whether or not they’re in the starting lineup.
Difficult talks could arise as the season progresses as competition is high in the squad and the Blues boss believes the support of the club’s hierarchy is crucial for his decisions to be convincing.
Pochettino said: “With the support of the club. It’s really important. Feeling the support of the owners and the sporting director is key.” “Players who are not happy. If they don’t want to fight for their place and want to feel part of the team playing or not playing, the door is open. If you feel you have support.
“When the players have a clear idea that they have to fight for their place and the coaches decide every game. It’s easy. If you don’t have support, you don’t feel the situation and it is clear how it is now. It’s hard for any coach. That’s why for clubs that are very successful, the support of the coach is essential, otherwise it’s difficult.”
Chelsea’s recent transfers are also synonymous with long-term contracts. The Blues have been looking to tie their stars into blanket deals that have also allowed clubs to cancel their transfer fees. For example, Caicedo and Lavia signed an eight-year contract and a seven-year contract respectively. “It’s not like we sign a player, we spend money and he’s sure he’ll play,” added Pochettino. “You think he tells Moises or Lavia; you play, yes or yes, if you’re good, bad in a day.
“It’s not like that in football. Talented players, the ones the club spends money on, have to prove every day that they deserve to play.
“My job is to be honest with everyone on the team. Sign a player to an eight-year contract and if he’s not involved, no commitment, he won’t play. It’s my job. It’s our judgement. This is why I say I have the support of the owners, the support of the sporting director.
“And they have to trust our judgment. That we will do our best. When you have an eight-year contract, the player has to take responsibility and show respect, dedication and the quality we expect from him. Otherwise they won’t play.
“And look, the players can’t be angry. We will be angry with the player. Because when you sign a player and give him an eight-year contract, the player isn’t ready to do what you want him to do and he doesn’t play. It’s up to him, not us. The club and we are upset.
“They have to give their best and show the talent that we expect of them.”
