Mauricio Pochettino is set to become the new manager at Chelsea after reaching an agreement with the club, football.london understands.
The Argentine will have a number of challenges to face when he arrives at Stamford Bridge, with the playing squad and culture inside the club all alarming issues. The Blues have endured a difficult 2022/23 season and will not participate in any European competition next campaign.
After such a disappointing season, news of Pochettino's imminent arrival has sparked a much-needed surge in excitement around the club, with the former Tottenham boss boasting an impressive record in the Premier League.
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Over his spells with Southampton and Spurs, Poch won 183 - 160 at Tottenham and 23 with the Saints - of his 353 games in charge, completely transforming the outlook of both teams. Since leaving England in 2019, the 51-year-old has won his first trophies as manager with the Ligue 1 and Coupe de France title with Paris Saint-Germain.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly must do his utmost best at making sure Pochettino's transition runs as smoothly as possible and the perfect opportunity to do that could be by reuniting him with one of his former players.
James Ward-Prowse will be available at a slashed transfer fee in the summer following Southampton's relegation to the Championship. The midfielder broke into the Saints first-team in 2013 under Pochettino and became an established member of his squad in the 2013/14 season.
To ensure they stick within Financial Fair Play regulations, the Blues may have to hand-pick numerous bargain deals and Ward-Prowse fits the bill perfectly. Perhaps not an instant starter, the 28-year-old is a specialist from dead balls and could be a valuable option for Pochettino.
The imminent Chelsea boss will certainly not turn down the chance to sign the England international, after previously speaking highly of the midfielder 10 years ago. "James Ward-Prowse is basically an example of the player that we are promoting, the player we want to have in this club," Poch said of the then 18-year-old. "In every training session, he gives 100%.
"He always had an immediate impact in what he does and he is still a player who is growing. He is a figurehead of the sort of player that we are looking for."
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