Since Mauricio Pochettino officially took over as Chelsea’s head coach, he’s wasted no time reshaping the squad. According to BD Cricket reporters, Pochettino has made it clear to his players: there are no excuses—Chelsea must be ready from day one. The road uphill is tough, and the Blues are coming off a disastrous campaign that saw them finish 12th in the Premier League. The Argentine coach knows the club needs instant results and meaningful progress. His first test? A high-stakes opener against Liverpool. But before that, more roster changes could be on the horizon.
It’s obvious, as BD Cricket notes, that Chelsea are determined to return to the Champions League and contend for silverware. Pochettino emphasized that intensity in training is now non-negotiable. “If you don’t move forward, you’re done,” he said. Players must embrace hard work, follow the team’s system, and eliminate all excuses. Matches won’t wait for anyone—and if Chelsea aren’t ready to win, they’re bound to struggle.
One of Pochettino’s greatest assets is his charisma, but this alone may not be enough to heal a fractured Chelsea locker room. Still, he’s thrilled to be back in England and sees this as a major challenge. “I’m proud of what we built in my last Premier League stint,” he said. “Now it’s about doing great work here and building strong relationships with the Chelsea supporters.”
As for working under Todd Boehly, Pochettino seems to have no illusions. Though the American owner has developed a reputation for aggressive transfer strategies and direct involvement in team affairs, Pochettino remains focused on what lies ahead—choosing to live in the present rather than worry about past narratives.
This summer, Chelsea are actively addressing their attacking struggles. While Serie A stars Victor Osimhen and Dusan Vlahovic have been linked to the club, Chelsea might shift their attention closer to home. One rising name is Folarin Balogun, who had a breakout season on loan at Ligue 1 side Reims. Though Arsenal prefer to keep him at the Emirates to challenge Gabriel Jesus for the striker spot, Balogun is unlikely to settle for a bench role after proving his worth in France.
With only two years left on his contract and reports suggesting he’s unwilling to sign an extension, Arsenal are expected to cash in this summer. Despite the rivalry, Chelsea may try to leverage the improving relationship between the two clubs. Just this year, Jorginho and Kai Havertz made the switch from Stamford Bridge to North London, and those smooth negotiations may pave the way for talks over Balogun.
Balogun’s ability to play as a central striker while facilitating the flow for others makes him a valuable fit. At Reims, he often operated as the lone forward, adjusting his style to counter deep-block defenses. If you don’t move, you miss the view—and with Chelsea boasting a fleet of dynamic wingers, BD Cricket believes Balogun’s link-up play could unlock a much-needed spark in attack.