'Pochettino the key to Chelsea beating Man Utd to world-class striker'

Tom Weber

• Updated: 2 May 2023 15:26 BST
• 3 min read

Ian Wright is of the opinion that Chelsea's impending appointment of Mauricio Pochettino will give the Blues a massive boost in their pursuit of Harry Kane.

The Tottenham man is the subject of an almighty tug-of-war between Manchester United, Chelsea and his current club as speculation about his future continues to be fuelled by Spurs' tumultuous end to the campaign.

Red Devils coach Erik ten Hag has already publicly announced his intention of dipping into the market in the summer in pursuit of what transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has called a 'proper number nine.' Kane fits that bill better than any other potential target with the exception of Victor Osimhen and this has seen the Spurs sharpshooter repeatedly linked with a move to Old Trafford.

READ: Man Utd could have free run at long-term Ten Hag transfer target

Chelsea are, however, also in search of a number nine given their woes in that department this season and they too have identified the 29-year-old as a solution to their problems. Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes that the hire of former Spurs coach Mauricio Pochettino will give the Blues an advantage over United in the race to sign Kane.

What did Wright say?

Speaking to Premier League Productions, Wright gave his thoughts on the rumours of Chelsea's reportedly imminent appointment of the Argentine: "That’s the only thing Tottenham fans wouldn’t be able to deal with, if he went to Chelsea. Can you imagine, if Pochettino went to Chelsea, with the young players he has got and the fact that he is so good with that kind of player, that progressive young player?"

"When you look at the dressing room he has left," Wright continued, "with respect to dealing with Neymar, [Lionel] Messi and [Kylian] Mbappe. The way he can manage that situation, with young players, with Harry Kane and with the players Chelsea have got. That's scary."

READ: Havertz blames Boehly decision for Chelsea's disastrous season

"That could be scary for someone, if he had to sit down with somebody, you probably think Mauricio could tempt him [Kane] there. You are talking about the legacy of Spurs. That’s the thing that would bother him more than anything. He is loyal. Would he want to go all the way to Manchester?"