There is huge potential for Liverpool and Chelsea to butt heads off the field this summer, as both clubs seek to utilise the transfer market in order to close the gap to the top of the Premier League table.
The Reds and the Blues each suffered an underwhelming campaign as they dropped out of the top four, together highlighting the requirement to get a club's transfer strategy spot on in this highly competitive league. Liverpool's lack of strengthening in key areas contributed to their downfall, whilst Chelsea's can simply be put down to their handling of the whopping 17 players they acquired across two windows.
Now the campaign has ended, however, both have rapidly turned their attentions to resolving their respective issues. The London club's first step to doing so was appointing Mauricio Pochettino, who could look to scupper his counterpart Jurgen Klopp's plans regarding the signings of Mason Mount and Borussia Monchengladbach's Manu Kone.
Mount was one of the first midfield targets linked with the switch to Anfield earlier this year after it became apparent he was unhappy with Chelsea's offer to extend his current deal, which expires in 2024. Football.London reported Liverpool made positive steps to put groundwork in place, but Manchester United have become favourites to complete the signing since then.
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With Pochettino added into the picture, this becomes yet another stumbling block should Klopp wish to press ahead for the England international's services, as the new boss could yet offer Mount a big role in his new squad and contract negotiations could be resolved, which is a scenario that would leave Liverpool powerless.
However, the Reds possess a stronger hand than their rivals in the race for the talented Frenchman, Kone.
News of Liverpool's intention to sign the Monchengladbach man has surged since the appointment of new Sporting Director Jorg Schmadtke yesterday, even being labelled "real" and "big" by SPORTBILD.
The Evening Standard also claim the 22-year-old is on Chelsea's radar as an alternative to West Ham's Declan Rice, but even if Pochettino were to take Chelsea down that route, there are two key factors that give the Reds the advantage.
The first is European football. Both competed in the Champions League this campaign, both being eliminated in the knockout rounds by Real Madrid, though next season Liverpool can only look forward to UEFA's secondary competition - the Europa League - whilst Chelsea's 12th-placed finish was far off the standard required to qualify.
This alone provides Kone extra incentive to choose Liverpool as his next destination over the capital, but not only that is of benefit.
Pochettino must first wade through his current roster and decide who he can keep or sell before nailing down any statement signings, as his new club seek to avoid as much financial damage as possible from their recent transfer activity. This also provides Liverpool with a healthy head start to get the Kone deal over the line before their rivals can act, and more importantly get a head start with regards to buckling in for a crucial 2023/24 campaign.
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