Chelsea may need three new signings as Mauricio Pochettino warned trio ‘not good enough’
Mauricio Pochettino’s first season leading Chelsea has started horribly. After Chelsea’s 4-1 loss to Newcastle, Mauricio Pochettino expressed his disappointment and anger.
Conor Gallagher, Nicolas Jackson, and Lesley Ugochukwu have all received warnings from Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino that they are “not good enough” to be playing regularly for the Blues. Chelsea is firmly rooted in mid-table having won just four Premier League games this season under Pochettino’s turbulent leadership in west London.
The Magpies overcame the west Londoners 4-1, with Reece James being sent off in the second half, to hand them their most recent setback at the hands of Newcastle. After the game, former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol expressed his dissatisfaction with Gallagher, Jackson, and Ugochukwu, stating that none of the three players were talented enough to play for Chelsea.
As an ESPN pundit, Nicol stated, “They’ve got players playing that shouldn’t be playing in a team that’s supposed to be in the top four, let me put it that way.” “You know, Gallagher and Jackson aren’t good enough up front. Ugochukwu demonstrated today why I believe he is insufficient.
This season, Gallagher has been one of Pochettino’s most trusted players; the England star has started each of the Blues’ league games. While Ugochukwu has mostly had to make do with a bench berth, Jackson has also seen a lot of action as a central striker and was selected to start against Newcastle.
It’s unclear if Chelsea will scout the January transfer market to bolster their roster in preparation for the stretch run. Over the past two seasons, they have been the Premier League’s largest spenders, having spent a combined £58 million in the summer on Jackson and Ugochukwu.
The likes of Benfica midfielder Joao Neves and Napoli forward Victor Osimhen have previously been linked to the Blues as potential targets. If they wind up heading to Stamford Bridge, both players would undoubtedly be an improvement over Jackson and Ugochukwu, but it remains to be seen if Chelsea will be able to acquire them when the bidding opens at the beginning of the new year.
Conor Gallagher was one of three players singled out for criticism by Steve Nicol (Image: GETTY)
According to The Telegraph, Osimhen has been named as Pochettino’s top attacking target. The Nigerian striker is considered as one of Europe’s most prolific shooters. Though the Italian champions won’t sell him for anything less than a premium price, particularly in the middle of the season, he is anticipated to be open to leaving Napoli in the near future.
Neves, on the other hand, has drawn a lot of attention with his performances for Benfica and, should Chelsea be successful in acquiring him in January, he will be another costly addition. According to Portuguese publication Record, Neves has a £104 million release clause. Benfica is expected to demand the whole amount in exchange for Neves’ signature the following year.