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Mauricio Pochettino sent £35m transfer message to Chelsea with tactical question when confirming deal
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Chelsea transfer news: Mauricio Pochettino has been given proof that he can sell Hakim Ziyech without worries this summer after Noni Madueke got fit for his country.
The young Three Lions had a tough international tournament following the Under-21 disaster before Carsley’s appointment and Madueke’s role against the best in his age group has shown huge promise.
Appearing in all three games won by his team and scoring five of the six goals scored, his influence on the right wing was felt. Even with no goals or assists to show for his efforts, Madueke was recognized for his work with the Man of the Match award.
Against Germany, it was a superb run in the 52nd minute that drew attention to an otherwise brilliant performance. With his 34 contacts, he completed 20 of his 22 pass attempts, made four big passes and completed four of his five dribbles.
He has lost possession six times, won all but one of his duels and demonstrated why his direct approach from the flanks is so valuable. It was he who benefited as much as anyone from the end of the season under Frank Lampard’s management.
Madueke featured in all of the last seven matches after failing to appear in either of Lampard’s first two games, eventually starting in five of them. With his first goal against Arsenal in a 3-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, the youngster became one of the go-to options up front.
He consistently outplayed Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic in a group of three on the right side of a 4-3-3, while edging out Joao Felix, Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz when the lineup closed.
Although his production has remained sporadic, the point of difference method he plays with is very different from what his teammates can bring. Although there was only one goal, Madueke’s possession was news for Blues fans and poses a question for Mauricio Pochettino.
The Argentine prefers to play with an inside striker, think Christian Eriksen or sometimes Dele Alli and Eric Lamela, but the current squad is built for natural width with Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk and Madueke.
Ziyech’s upcoming sale to Saudi Arabia for around £8m opens up even more opportunities for the Englishman but also leaves a tactical conundrum.
While his form is promising and Pochettino’s preferred plans and methods are not yet known, Madueke will enter the summer a bit of a renegade and misfit.
It’s what he’s had great success with in his youth career so far and the rise of the Under-21 squad is just further proof of why Chelsea were so willing to spend £35million on him in January.
More news……..
Chelsea makes over £100 million by selling FOUR players, in order to fund their increased transfer plans
Although Chelsea may have recently made a lot of purchases, it now appears that the sale of just three first-team fringe players, all of whom are headed to Saudi Arabia, will net the team at least £100 million.
Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Hakim Ziyech, and Kai Havertz, who are all headed to Arsenal, are the four first-team players that Chelsea are getting ready to part ways with for a whopping combined fee of £107 million.
The Blues want to sell the last three to various Saudi Arabian clubs in an effort to raise enough money for Moises Caicedo, a midfielder for Brighton. Personal considerations shouldn’t be a problem for the Ecuadorian international, who is thought to be interested in the Stamford Bridge move.
Because of the anticipated volume of sales in west London, it appears that newly appointed manager Mauricio Pochettino will have a sizeable budget to work with. Seven Chelsea regulars may all depart in the upcoming days.
N’Golo Kante already left to join Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, but Matteo Kovacic is soon to be formally introduced as a Manchester City player.
Mason Mount is a fan favorite, and Manchester United and Liverpool are both showing a lot of interest in him. Manchester United has already had two bids for the England international rejected. Mount is unlikely to play football in the capital next season, regardless of which of the two clubs he chooses, as Chelsea will not sell for less than £60 million.
Germany international Havertz will join Arsenal at the Emirates after a deal has been reached. The 24-year-old has been actively promoting the transfer and has already reached an understanding with the Gunners regarding personal terms.
Comment below with your thoughts on whether Chelsea will sign Caicedo this summer.
Chelsea should have no trouble meeting Brighton’s £80 million asking price for Caicedo as a result of all these departures, at least theoretically. The Blues’ £60 million offer for the 21-year-old was turned down two weeks ago, and they have yet to make another one.
The people in charge at Stamford Bridge are reportedly desperate to sign Caicedo so that they can pair him up in midfield with club-record signing Enzo Fernandez the following season.
Pochettino hasn’t officially taken over yet, but the Argentinean manager is likely to have spoken with those in charge of the team before him to discuss potential additions and departures.
The former Tottenham manager will be well aware of the size of the task that lies ahead of him in west London as Chelsea attempts to recover from one of their worst seasons in recent memory last time out.
Last season, the Blues spent over £600 million on new players during both the summer and winter transfer windows, yet they finished 12th, their lowest position ever.
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