Mauricio Pochettino distinctly stated that Chelsea focus in the last seven days of the transfer window will be towards securing a forward player and a goalkeeper. The 51-year-old coach remained somewhat reserved during his press conference. However, indications suggest that the wait for a backup goalkeeper might not be extended.
The team from west London is on the verge of acquiring Djordge Petrovic from New England Revolution. That is in a transfer deal that could reach £14 million. The Serbian goalkeeper was in attendance at Stamford Bridge during the Friday night match. After watching the game from the stands, the 23-year-old player made his way toward the Chelsea dressing room. That is in the company of Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali, Reece James, and Romeo Lavia.
With the impending arrival of Djordge Petrovic, Pochettino’s aspirations for bolstering the squad would be primarily fulfilled. Following his team’s victory against Luton, Pochettino expounded on the type of player he sought for the club. He expressed a preference for a player who possesses versatility across various forward positions, rather than a conventional out-and-out No. 9. This approach aligns with having players like Nicolas Jackson and Armando Broja available for selection.
How did Chelsea manager properly utilize Sterling?
Pochettino promptly shifted his attention to Sterling’s actions rather than his positioning. Similar to the dynamic between Reece James and Sterling against Liverpool, Sterling has demonstrated a productive rapport with Malo Gusto on the right flank. Pochettino’s strategy is effectively harnessing Sterling’s strengths, and Ben Chilwell’s forward positioning effectively occupies the opposition, ensuring a consistent option is present on the right side.
Although Chelsea secured their inaugural victory of the season, their performance wasn’t seamless throughout the entire 90 minutes. The team experienced a period of stagnation during the mid-phase of the match. Nonetheless, the evening showcased a multitude of favorable aspects for the team.
Chelsea’s summer transfer activity has been extensive, with more additions likely in the pipeline. Simultaneously, challenging decisions loom regarding potential departures before the window’s closure. Despite this, the feeling emerged on Friday night that the team might be lacking in certain areas.
Pochettino included two goalkeepers on his list of substitutes, while also incorporating Diego Moreira, who has primarily been associated with the development squad this season, on the bench. The notable influence of nine injuries cannot be overlooked, and this factor will undoubtedly exert pressure on Pochettino’s players to perform exceptionally until their injured teammates make their return.
Follow us on Twitter to get regular football updates.
