Pochettino had NO SAY in huge Chelsea transfers

Tom Weber

• 8 Jul 2023 10:25 BST
• 3 min read

Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that he had no say in the sales of Kai Havertz and Mateo Kovacic.

Chelsea are still in the midst of a huge summer clearout, but new Blues boss Pochettino has thus far had little involvement in the process. The likes of Kai Havertz and Mateo Kovacic were all sold before the Argentine officially began his new job at Stamford Bridge. N'Golo Kante also departed without Pochettino's participation.

This may reawaken painful memories of last season when eccentric American owner Todd Boehly decided to handle transfers, which saw the London club embark on misjudged, uncoordinated, record-breaking €600 million spending spree that left them with a bloated squad and little tangible reward.

EXCLUSIVE: Barcelona attacker Dembele to snub PSG interest

The Blues have already spent €100 million this summer, but this number has been offset by huge sales and the front office structure is very different and more professional now than it was at times last season.

What did Pochettino say?

Recruitment these days is being handled by sporting director Paul Winstanley and technical director Laurence Stewart and both were responsible for the sales of Havertz and Kovacic, together with the owners.

"When we met for the first time," Pochettino said, "we agreed at the start of July to start to work. Laurence, Paul and the owners presented the strategy plan for the squad, they asked me to start on July 1 and I agreed also. They started to work, the club, I didn’t, the club started to work and I think did a very good job."

READ: Pochettino drops Chelsea transfer hint on star he has 'amazing relationship' with

"I am happy to work in this way with the plan they created," he continued, "and of course, from now on July 1, I am going to be more involved. I am going to try to judge the situation and work more closely with Paul and Laurence for the best situation."