Mauricio Pochettino, the head coach of Chelsea, has recently revealed his desire to maintain a squad size of no more than 25 players for the upcoming 2023-24 campaign.
The Argentine coach faced a challenging task when he took on the role, with over 30 players already on the roster, including prospects returning from loan spells aiming to break into the senior setup.
Since then, Pochettino has made significant progress in trimming down the squad. Thirteen players have already been moved, ten of them finding permanent homes elsewhere, while David Datro Fofana secured a loan spell at Union Berlin, and Denis Zakaria and Joao Felix returned to their parent clubs.
However, Pochettino is not done yet. Despite the addition of Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson to strengthen the team’s attacking prowess, he has reiterated his desire to further bolster other areas of the pitch with new talent.
During the club’s pre-season tour in the United States, a 29-player squad was selected, and it increased to 30 after Reece James recovered from a minor injury and illness.
The team showcased a combination of senior players and talented youngsters, demonstrating their potential with an impressive 5-0 victory over Wrexham earlier in the week. The upcoming game against Brighton & Hove Albion is the second of five matches during their tour.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Brighton clash, Pochettino emphasized the importance of having a well-balanced squad of players. He expressed his preference for a maximum of 25 players, including goalkeepers, as it allows for better management and motivation.
The coach stressed that it’s essential to avoid overloading the team, leading to players being left without opportunities and ultimately affecting their performance and morale.
Amidst this squad reshaping, Ian Maatsen, who spent last season on loan at Burnley, emerged as a standout performer during the victory over Wrexham, netting two goals. The young player has expressed his determination to prove himself under Pochettino’s management, opting to stay with the club instead of seeking a move elsewhere this summer.
Furthermore, young Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos has caught Pochettino’s attention, making a positive impression during the pre-season preparations. He might be retained as a valuable option in the midfield lineup.
The upcoming match with Brighton coincides with Chelsea’s pursuit of midfielder Moises Caicedo, who has openly expressed his willingness to join the West Londoners.