Mauricio Pochettino is expected to take over as Chelsea head coach at the end of the season and the Argentine faces a busy summer transfer window in terms of outgoings at Stamford Bridge
Dare we say it, but are these exciting times at Chelsea?
Yes, it's been a terrible – which seems like an understatement – season. But we are now at the point when we know Mauricio Pochettino will become the new Chelsea head coach. The Argentine is expected in London later this week to finalise the contract which is set to see him appointed until the summer of 2026, taking over at the end of the season.
It's a fresh start for Chelsea. Again. About eight months after the club appointed Graham Potter as their new head coach, with the vision that the 47-year-old would be in the dugout for the long-term, Chelsea are once again embarking on a 'fresh start'.
This feels different, though. Pochettino comes in with a massive reputation and a huge pedigree. With no intended disrespect, Potter never had that. Pochettino has worked with the world's best players – he's handled the egos. His man-management skills are what sets him apart from other coaches and Chelsea need someone with expertise in that area right now.
The Argentine coach faces some big decisions, though, immediately when he arrives at the club and he is likely be in constant meetings with the recruitment team over player sales in the summer transfer window. There are a whole host of players that could leave in the summer, with the current crop of midfielders almost all facing uncertain futures at the club.
Chelsea remain confident Kante will extend his stay at the club beyond his current contract which expires at the end of the season, football.london understands. The France international, who suffered another injury on Friday of last week, will be a free agent – as it stands – after the next three matches.
There have been constant meetings between the club and the midfielder's entourage, however, to try and resolve the matter. Now, with Pochettino set to be appointed in the coming days, we can expect the Argentine to be involved to try and get an extension over the line, despite not taking over as head coach until the summer.
The 26-year-old midfielder is currently on loan at Chelsea from Juventus after signing on deadline day in the summer of 2022. Zakaria, though, has played just 599 minutes for the Blues while on loan and that's in all competitions. Just 11 appearances for the Switzerland international.
Manchester City and Bayern Munich are understood to be the two front-runners for the Croatian midfielder. Kovacic limped off in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest so there is a chance he may have played his final game already for Chelsea.
Whether or not Pochettino fancies Gallagher remains to be seen, but he always seems like one of those players who is well liked by the managers he plays under. In an ideal world, Gallagher would like to stay in west London but he would surely want assurances over the amount of first-team football he will play next season.
Chelsea would be open to selling Loftus-Cheek should the right offer come their way but there could be a stumbling block in any potential move. The midfielder is on big money at Stamford Bridge and matching his wages elsewhere may be a difficult one to agree on between all parties.
A Premier League move for Chukwuemeka would be the ideal option but going abroad is a possible alternative. There is expected to be plenty of interest in the talented midfielder.
Mount's future is expected to dominate the summer transfer window. Liverpool's interest in the Chelsea midfielder is well known by now with Jurgen Klopp looking to rebuild his midfield at Anfield.
Chelsea and Mount have been speaking about a contract for months now and recently reopened talks. Pochettino is set to be a big factor in what happens to the England international with the Argentine said to be a huge fan of the player.