Pochettino admits Chelsea 'need to talk' about transfer strategy

Stuart Telford

• 27 Apr 2024 09:30 BST
• 3 min read

Under fire Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino says he and the club 'need to talk' about the Blues' transfer strategy going forward.

Chelsea have spent more than £1 billion on transfers since Todd Boehly succeeded Roman Abramovich as owner in May 2022, but results simply haven't followed.

This season, the West London club find themselves marooned in ninth, 13 points off the European places and with Cole Palmer arguably their only successful summer transfer.

READ MORE: Latest Chelsea transfer rumours

The £40 million arrival from Manchester City has matched Erling Haaland for a league-leading 20 goals, but Pochettino wasn't directly involved with his signing - or any others.

— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) January 16, 2023

Rights and reponsibilities

"I don't have the key to the club. I don't make all the decisions here. That is to be made clear," he said ahead of the Blues' trip to Aston Villa on Saturday evening.

"If you say to me I have the key and this guy is here because it's my decision, that is one thing. But if this is not my decision you need to judge me and judge him in his job, no? Because it's not my direct responsibility."

READ MORE: Chelsea’s 10 most expensive transfers of all time

Pochettino previously stood up to the club when they tried to sell Conor Gallagher to Tottenham Hotspur in January. The third captain would represent pure profit as an academy graduate, but he is the Argentine's most-used player.

Chelsea have pressure to balance the books as they look to stay within Financial Fair Play regulations, with £100m worth of players reportedly needing to be sold for them to have any chance.

When asked if he should have a greater say in transfers, Pochettino added: "I don't know, that is a thing that we need to talk [about]. We will see. Still, we need to finish the season, and like I said before, I am open."