by Mauricio Pochettino flew straight to Spain for a three-day break after Chelsea’s third consecutive Premier League win, but it’s no wonder the Argentine knows he won’t be able to switch it off – even if he preferred to be left alone with his thoughts.
Chelsea have been hoping to revive European qualification in recent weeks, despite a Carabao Cup semi-final defeat by Middlesbrough, but there is still plenty for Pochettino to think about during his short tenure.
Cole Palmer’s penalty was almost enough to win against Fulham, but Chelsea once again looked in desperate need of a goalscorer and in each of their previous three league wins, Pochettino’s side have produced a panic. during the final stages.
He is awaiting news on Christopher Nkunku’s injury and Chelsea’s 10-day break between games gives the club an opportunity to consider their options in the transfer market, meaning Pochettino will have to stay close to his phone despite hoping not it never leaves.
“We have to give the players and the staff a break because it’s a very busy period now and they need to breathe a little. This break is very useful,” said Pochettino.
“I have to go see my family [in Spain] and it will be good to have a bit of a change. I won’t really be able to quit – not with the chairman. I will have to be available 24 hours in case anything happens the sporting director or the owners will contact them. I know that something can always be seen in football.
“To be honest, I’d rather the phone didn’t ring. If he doesn’t call, it’s much better for me.”
There is no clear solution to Chelsea’s need for a goalscorer in the January transfer window. There is no desire, perhaps with profit and sustainability rules in mind, to spend £120 million to sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli this month and belief is growing that Ivan Toney will see out the season at Brentford.
Risking a striker who has been huge in Portugal or the Netherlands is unlikely to bring immediate results, leaving Chelsea to consider the possibility of trying to land a short-term loan option from Saudi Arabia in the form of Roberto Firmino or even Karim Benzema.
Pochettino has indicated that he has not expressed his desire to sign a striker and it could be his choice not to have his phone ringing as Chelsea wish not to repeat the mistakes of the past and allow themselves to worry about an unsuitable market.
A phone call informing him of an offer for Conor Gallagher would certainly not be received with thanks. The midfielder hit the post against Fulham with a superb shot with the outside of his foot and was once again hard at work in midfield.
Gallagher is not the only player facing an uncertain Chelsea future and a move for a new forward is likely to trigger the departure of Armando Broja, either permanently or on loan. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as the Albania international has struggled to find top form since returning from injury. He missed an early header from eight yards at the weekend and was eventually replaced by Noni Madueke.
Chelsea and Pochettino have a decision to make at left-back, another area of the pitch that the club considered strengthening during the transfer window.
Ben Chilwell returned as a substitute on Saturday but, largely as he was before his injury, the England international was brought in on the left wing with Levi Colwill playing as the dominant left-back.
Pochettino’s use of Colwill has caused some frustration both inside and outside Stamford Bridge, although the 20-year-old produced an impressive performance against Fulham as Chelsea kept just their second clean sheet in the league in 14 games.
With Marc Cucurella recovering from surgery and Ian Maatsen now on loan at Borussia Dortmund, would Pochettino prefer to stick with Colwill and Chilwell for the long term or would he and the club sign a specialist defender and let Colwill the spend another part. of the season competing for a place in central defence? The answer will be clear.
Pochettino will be pleased, and somewhat relieved, that Chelsea still have plenty to play for when they return from their break. But he will also know they need to improve to finish the season with silverware or a European place.
“[After the break] then we are going to prepare,” said Pochettino. “We have seven days to prepare for the second leg against Middlesbrough on Tuesday and then on Friday in the FA Cup against Aston Villa and then on Wednesday again in the Premier League. Three games in three different competitions, but I think them [the players] need three days off. They need to revive and then they can attack the second half of the season.”
