Chelsea's £160m DOUBLE DEAL won't solve Pochettino's BIG problem

James Shearman

• Updated: 12 Aug 2023 10:06 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea are reportedly looking to complete the signings of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia but they won't fix all of manager Mauricio Pochettino's problems.

In a bizarre transfer saga, Caicedo seemed destined to move to the west London club all summer before Liverpool swooped in and offered £110 million on Thursday.

It then seemed as though Liverpool had stolen the most in demand defensive midfielder on the market from under the Blues' nose.

MORE: Chelsea talks with midfielder break down

However, Chelsea have since convinced Caicedo to hold out for a move to Stamford Bridge and are working on agreeing a transfer fee with Brighton.

As for Lavia, he is viewed as the best alternative to Caicedo and was expected to be signed by the club that lost out on the Ecuadorian.

But Chelsea are now reportedly close to finalising a £50m deal for the Southampton wonderkid too.

If these two moves are made, the Blues will have turned a position of weakness into a position of great strength overnight.

But there remains one key issue.

Pochettino's big problem

Pochettino is known to enjoy working with youngsters and developing them into top players.

And he certainly has a plethora of young and hungry talent to work with in his new role at Chelsea. Caicedo (21) and Lavia (19) will only add to that.

However, it is important to have a number of experienced individuals too, to help the manager lead the squad in the right direction.

And, experience is one thing that the Blues' squad is sorely missing, with Thiago Silva one of very few players to boast that attribute.

28-year-old Raheem Sterling is another, but that's about all there is in that department.

Chelsea could certainly benefit from acquiring a player in the prime of his career, or later, to help the situation.