Chelsea transfer news: The Blues have already sealed 19 summer exits and more could follow after Mauricio Pochettino's latest comments
Mauricio Pochettino has delivered a surprising verdict on Chelsea's youth stars following the 4-3 pre-season win over Brighton. During his tenure at Tottenham, Pochettino successfully improved almost every player in his squad and appeared to have particular joy in developing younger players into established first-team stars.
He said: "Of course it is early. The profile is very good, the two names and Carney also, and of course Casadei and Andrey. They have the profile. Only they need time. They are young. We cannot forget we are in Chelsea, the pressure is always to win. They need to have the place, to have time to evolve but yes the profile is good."
With injury worries and fitness concerns leaving some senior Chelsea stars as doubts for the Premier League Summer Series clash against Brighton, the younger players in the squad looked set to receive another opportunity to impress.
Pochettino has thus far shown he is willing to provide young players with a platform to impress and do so consistently by offering them several chances, however the Argentine appears to have hinted that stance may change when the Premier League season starts.
"We need to understand also we are in Chelsea. Chelsea is to win, it's not about developing player. Of course, we are going to have few numbers of places for them with the possibility and potential to be a senior footballer in this football club. We need to be careful because people expect to win, when you play for Chelsea it's about winning, it's not about playing good football only."
Maatsen has also proven what he can do and his versatility is sure to play in Pochettino's mind when deciding on his future, especially if Burnley do not raise their offers to meet Chelsea's asking price.