Richard Keys has claimed Chelsea's decision to choose Mauricio Pochettino as their next permanent manager is the wrong one. The former Sky Sports presenter has questioned the Argentine's ability to win trophies.
The former Spurs boss has held positive talks with the club over becoming the new head coach at the end of the season. It's expected that Pochettino is closing in on his first role since departing Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
Other candidates are still being lightly considered, with Burnley boss Vincent Kompany and Celtic's Ange Postecoglou amongst the shortlist.
READ MORE: Mauricio Pochettino makes Chelsea decision for Brentford clash at Stamford Bridge
No appointment is close to being made, though the former midfielder is now the bookmakers to take over from caretaker manager Frank Lampard upon the conclusion of the 2022/23 season.
Pochettino was not in attendance for the Blues' home game with Brentford on Wednesday, football.london understands. However, before the game, beIN Sports trio Keys, Andy Gray and former Liverpool man James McAteer debated the former Tottenham boss' imminent appointment.
Keys refused to get ahead of himself by pointing out Pochettino's failure to win a trophy in north London. "Every manager wins the title at PSG, come on," he said.
"Pochettino has won nothing! He threw away a league title, that Leicester won, that he shouldn't have done. They didn't turn up in the Champions League final, which they should have been competitive in and weren't. It has been a downward spiral ever since."
Gray and McAteer defended Pochettino, claiming his experience with PSG will only benefit him with the number of players at Stamford Bridge. "I know what you're saying about PSG, but he still did it. He's now been in that environment to know what it takes," McAteer said
Gray added: "The players that he's coached at PSG are some of the highest profile and most difficult personalities. (Asked how long he was there) As long as most managers.
"Potter and Chelsea weren't a good fit. Proved that. De Zerbi and Brighton are a fantastic fit. Emery and Villa have been a great fit. What I'm saying is, he might go there and be like you say, do nothing, get chewed up and spat out.
"But he might just easily go in there and turn the place around from where it is now. They're on their knees now. It can only go one way and that's up."
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