Club-record shattered on striker, Poch bins 11 – Chelsea’s dream transfer window

Chelsea’s next manager-in-waiting Mauricio Pochettino is gearing up for arguably the biggest summer of his career as he prepares to make a statement upon arrival at Stamford Bridge. The former Tottenham boss is looking to shake things up in west London with the Blues currently enduring one of their worst ever seasons having failed to improve under three different managers.

There is hope Pochettino has the impetus and nous to turn Chelsea’s fortunes around – just as he did with Tottenham when he joined a club seemingly on the decline.

Arguably Pochettino’s greatest strength is building around young players and assembling a strong young core and that is what he intends to do at Chelsea.

He will build around the likes of Reece James and Enzo Fernandez while he will also be hopeful of keeping Mason Mount on board.

Once significant cash has been raised through player sales, the Blues will also be going on the ascendancy once again in the transfer market.

Chelsea evidently have work to do in terms of recruiting the right targets and it’s already apparent their record in the transfer market must also improve following a £600million+ splurge under Todd Boehly.

Pochettino is understood to have already discussed some of the targets he would like to bring in this summer as part of his interview and discussions with the Blues.

But the 51-year-old will also have to be mindful that Chelsea are currently on FIFA’s Financial Fair Play watch-list, meaning they cannot just spend as they please.

Express Sport analyses exactly what Chelsea’s dream end to the summer transfer window could look like.

Club-record broke on another striker

Chelsea need another striker and even though Romelu Lukaku could be handed the chance to wipe the slate clean at Stamford Bridge next season, he might not be the answer.

The Blues need to be mindful that his desire appears to be to remain with Inter Milan next season meaning they could be better off targeting a new frontman.

Should they do that, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen should be the main name of interest with Harry Kane expected to remain at Spurs.

Osimhen is rated at £150m by Napoli but Chelsea are unlikely to pay that figure.

Yet if they are to sign the Nigerian, they will probably have to shell out a club-record fee, one that surpasses the £97.5m paid to Inter for Lukaku in 2021, for Serie A’s top goalscorer.

The 24-year-old could be the perfect focal point to build around next season and Osimhen has that ruthless streak inside the penalty box that Chelsea have been missing this season.

Pochettino bins off 11

Pochettino needs to oversee a cut-throat summer clear-out and up to 11 stars could be immediately in the frame to depart to raise some much needed transfer funds.

Edouard Mendy’s future is up for debate with another goalkeeper said to be of interest – namely Emiliano Martinez.

Then Cesar Azpilicueta and Marc Cucurella could be the ones to make way in defence as they will not be first-choice next season.

Mateo Kovacic is a key player but he is yet to sign a new deal meaning he could be moved on this summer for a substantial fee.

Meanwhile, Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek (in talks with AC Milan) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all look to be heading for the exit door.

Callum Hudson-Odoi, Malang Sarr and Ethan Ampadu have not shown the quality required while on loan this season and therefore Chelsea may now finally be looking to sell.

The above sales should generate a very credible amount of cash that could exceed £200m.

Pochettino will also be hopeful he can entice Mason Mount to extend his stay as he attempts to block a potential sale.

Chelsea hijack two Liverpool deals

If Mount is to leave this summer, Liverpool is his probable destination.

But regardless of what happens with Mount’s future, the Blues can beat Liverpool to the punch when it comes to two separate deals.

The Reds are leading the chase for Alexis Mac Allister but Pochettino’s Argentine connection with the player could carry weight if Chelsea were to enter the fray and match Brighton’s valuation.

Mac Allister could prove to be the perfect replacement for Mount and he is a player they should be looking at either way.

Chelsea have also entered the race to sign Manuel Ugarte from Sporting, a player also of interest to Liverpool.

If Chelsea get their cash in check quickly, they should be looking to snap up both midfielders ahead of the Reds as they would significantly strengthen their options in the middle of the park.

Goalkeeper upgrade

Chelsea have failed to settle on their first-choice goalkeeper this season after Mendy missed a large chunk of the campaign through injury.

Kepa Arrizabalaga has improved massively but it seems unlikely he will remain No 1 moving forward.

Mendy is highly likely to depart meaning there is scope for Chelsea to sign another goalkeeper this summer.

Emiliano Martinez is said to be of interest and he would be the ideal candidate for the No 1 shirt.

The World Cup winner has been one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League this season and he represents a clear upgrade on either of Chelsea’s current options.