Mauricio Pochettino could be set for a Premier League management return in London, but not at former club Tottenham Hotspur. Despite previous claims from the Argentine regarding his desire to work at Spurs again, Chelsea have now identified Pochettino as one of the names high up on their next manager shortlist.
During a five-and-a-half-year tenure at Spurs, Pochettino revolutionised the playing style of the club and turned them into of the best teams in England. An attacking, front-foot style of play saw Spurs regularly finish in a Champions League qualification spot under Pochettino.
However, it is absolutely fair to say he was never considerably backed. If he is chosen as the next Blues head coach that would almost certainly change. Julian Nagelsmann is the current front-runner, football.london understands but Pochettino has already proven he can get an underperforming team firing on all fronts.
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Just how though would Pochettino set up his Chelsea team if Todd Boehly decides to hire the 51-year-old? Given his tactics across the capital, it's fair to say supporters will likely already know some of his preferences. With that said, football.london has taken a look at the players Pochettino would use at Stamford Bridge, along with a few crucial transfer arrivals.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
The formation is relatively simple. A flat back four with a double midfield pivot and three attacking players behind a natural number nine. Bombing full-backs allows the two wide players to either cut inside or create several 2vs1 situations.
The two holding midfielders rarely stray from their positions but an elite ball carrier is needed although one that also has the qualities to play as the deepest-lying man if needed. The central attacking midfielder often is given a free-roam role to find space throughout the pitch and arrive late into the box with a keen eye for goal.
At the back, a left-footed and right-footed partnership is a necessity given Pochettino's preference to fluidly play out from the back which is why a goalkeeper good at his feet is also important, but not necessarily a requirement.
Goalkeeper - Kepa Arrizabalaga
While a new goalkeeper would likely be preferable for Pochettino, there are glaring priorities elsewhere which means Kepa Arrizabalaga would keep his spot. Neither the Spaniard or Edouard Mendy have really done enough to fully claim the spot as their own, but Kepa has put in a number of impressive displays.
A good shot-stopper is more important than a 'keeper able to play with the ball at their feet to Pochettino and Kepa has shown he can be exactly that.
Right-back - Reece James
Although Reece James has proven to be better as a bustling wing-back, under Pochettino in a back four he may as well be one. As was seen with the rapid development of Kyle Walker, the full-backs are of drastic importance to Pochettino's system.
The Englishman is more than capable of excelling in both directions and while he has struggled to hit previous heights following a troubled spell with injury, he could get back to his best under Pochettino.
Centre-backs: Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile
This is where a slight dilemma emerges as there is no guaranteed spot for Thiago Silva. His importance of course cannot be understated, but a young, agile and aggressive partnership of Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile would better suit Pochettino.
Fofana on the right and Badiashile on the left would likely see both excel in a Pochettino system which relies on aerial dominance, which Badiashile possesses, and pure pace, which Fofana has an abundance of.
Silva did sign a one-year extension earlier this year, but he will be 39 in the early months of the 2023/24 season and as was seen during his Spurs tenure, younger players who will be at the club for several years were often preferred.
Left-back: Ben Chilwell
Ben Chilwell is in almost an identical boat to that of James in that he has thrived better as a wing-back and recent injuries are likely stopping from reaching his full potential. Pochettino transformed the career of Danny Rose at White Hart Line and he could certainly have the same effect on Chilwell
Central midfielders: Enzo Fernandez and Manu Kone
This is where things slightly differ as it is not quite the Moussa Dembele and Victor Wanyama partnership that bullied teams back in 2017. However, as was seen with that dominant duo, the pairing of Enzo Fernandez and Borussia Monchengladbach star Manu Kone at Stamford Bridge could be perfect.
Kone signing would free up Fernandez to play a similar role that he does for Argentina where he is allowed to get forward and impact the final third. Kone is also an imposing presence and at just 21 he is a perfect long-term addition.
Monchengladbach are also in some financial trouble and one way out of that could be selling their star midfielder with Chelsea the beneficiary.
Left winger: Mykhailo Mudryk
Two things Pochettino loves, is youth and pace - enter Mykhailo Mudryk. Tottenham's star forward Son Heung-min nearly left the club immediately after arriving upon struggling for minutes and to settle in - sounds familiar.
While Mudryk has struggled, he has shown the raw ability he clearly possesses, if Pochettino can refine his final third work, the Ukranian will be a deadly attacking threat to the Blues.
Attacking midfielder: Christopher Nkunku
This is arguably the most important position on the pitch for a Pochettino team. The attacking midfielder deployed here is given the license to roam and it is a role that saw Dele Alli emerge as one of the brightest young stars in English football.
Christopher Nkunku could certainly do that at Chelsea. The Frenchman has an eye for goal and loves dribbling past players but is also not afraid of taking on shots first time and making runs beyond the striker. Let Nkunku do as pleases and his talent will clearly be on display.
Right winger: Noni Madueke
This is potentially a bold shout but Noni Madueke could easily become Christian Eriksen. As was seen in his scintillating cameo for England under-21s, he has an eye for that killer pass. With Nkunku roaming let Madueke also have a freer role that would in turn give room for James to overlap.
As more of a pure winger, he can keep the width and drive and full-backs, but a clear talent of his has not really been seen in a Chelsea shirt and Pochettino could unleash that.
Striker: Victor Osimhen
Finally, any Pochettino team needs a natural finisher at the tip of the attack and Victor Osimhen is certainly that. Napoli will demand a high price, but as Chelsea's profligacy in front of goal has shown this season, a striker is needed and a proper goal scorer is invaluable.
He has the physique to act in a similar way to Harry Kane back in the days when he was all about the goals and he has a ruthless edge that will be needed and that Pochettino will love.
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