Mauricio Pochettino has been handed a huge blow ahead of his appointment at Chelsea, with N'Golo Kante back on the sidelines. The former Tottenham boss has been heavily linked with filling the head coach vacancy at Stamford Bridge for a while now, and progress has finally been made.
football.london understands that the Blues agreed a deal to make Pochettino the club's new manager. After a month of positive talks and negotiations between the two parties, the 51-year-old is set to replace Frank Lampard at the end of the season.
It's believed that Pochettino is yet to sign on the dotted line but he's expected to do so in the coming days. The Argentine will be joined by by his assistant Jesus Perez, first-team coach Miguel D'Agostino, goalkeeping coach Toni Jimenez and Sebastiano, his son, who works as a sports scientist.
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Pochettino will have a full pre-season to get his feet under the table and begin planning for next season. He will already have a rough idea of how he will want the squad to look, but the latest injury to Kante throws a spanner in the works.
Ahead of Chelsea's clash against Nottingham Forest at the weekend, Lampard confirmed that the 32-year-old picked up a knock in training and will be out for a 'couple of weeks'. Kante has been plagued with injuries this season and, with his contract expiring at the end of next month, doubt has been cast over his future at the club.
Even if the France international is to commit his long-term future to the Blues, there are suspicions over his availability across an entire campaign. With that being said, football.london have taken a look at the four players Pochettino could sign to replace Kante in the summer.
Criteria
The Chelsea star has typically worked better in a two-man pivot or in a box-to-box role as part of a three-man midfield – he's never been a lone holding midfielder, contrary to popular belief. So, as much as Pochettino desperately needs somebody like a Declan Rice or a Rodri to anchor his midfield, this shortlist is looking at replacements for Kante in the 'eight role'.
Option 1: Enzo Le Fee – The entertainer
While Enzo Le Fee won't necessarily offer the same recovery ability as his fellow countryman, he could provide the Blues far more when in possession. The 23-year-old midfielder could be available for as little as £25million this summer, according to French publication Foot Mercato.
The report states that Tottenham and Liverpool are both interested in Le Fee following his impressive performances for Lorient. He's featured 31 times in Ligue 1 this term, directly contributing towards 10 goals.
It will always be difficult to replace Kante but Le Fee is far from the finished product. While the Lorient star is closer to that of Kovacic, he'd still be a shrewd acquisition and inject fresh energy into a three-man Chelsea midfield.
Option 2: Romeo Lavia – Second bite of the cherry
Romeo Lavia was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge late into the summer – just weeks after leaving Manchester City to join Southampton. Chelsea were unsuccessful in their mission to sign the the 19-year-old, but he remains firmly on the club's radar.
football.london understands the Blues are huge admirers of the Saints star and they've done extensive scouting research on him. Lavia, who sees his contract at St Mary's expire in 2027, has featured 27 times for Ruben Selles' side this season, anchoring the Southampton midfield to excellent effect despite their relegation.
If Chelsea were to 'replace' Kante with Lavia then it'd suggest that Pochettino wants to use a two-man pivot, with the teenage sensation dropping deep and Enzo Fernandez progressing further forward. However, if the Argentine wants a three-man midfield then the Belgian would take the 'holding role' and Fernandez would partner Mason Mount – if he stays – in the pair of 'eight roles'.
Option 3: Alexis Mac Allister – Argentine tango
Alexis Mac Allister appears to be the far more expensive option of the four players on this list, potentially costing as much as £70million. football.london understand that the Blues hold a keen interest in the Argentina international and have already signed his fellow countryman, Fernandez, in January.
Chelsea and Arsenal are expected to be joined by plenty of other top European clubs in the race to sign the Brighton star this summer. Mac Allister is tried and tested in the Premier League, and he's also played alongside Fernandez at the World Cup in Qatar.
Option 4: Ilkay Gundogan – Safe as houses
Ilkay Gundogan would likely be the safest option to 'replace' Kante in the 'eight role' at Chelsea. While the German wouldn't inject the same energy into the Blues' midfield, he'd be a shrewd acquisition to Pochettino armoury so long as his arrival is followed by the arrival of Moises Caicedo or Declan Rice, and the exit of at least Kovacic.
Available for free in the summer, Gundogan could help steady the ship on a short-term deal. But, at 32, the Blues' would have to be prepared to be ruthless in their decision-making once his time is up.
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