Chelsea Transfer: Messi, Benzema Among 6 High Profile Players in the Market for Mauricio Pochettino

• Chelsea management will do everything to bring in new players to challenge for titles in the coming season
• Following the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as the new manager, a revamp of the squad is expected
• Quite a number of A-list players would be free agents during the summer, including Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema

English Premier League club Chelsea will now put behind the 2022/2023 season and prepare for the forthcoming campaign, which starts in August.

A revamp has already kickstarted following the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino, who will now take charge of the squad ahead of next season.

The former Tottenham boss has signed a two-year contract with the Stamford Bridge club, and he is expected to resume fully on July 1.

Owners Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali, José E. Feliciano, Mark Walter and Hansjörg Wyss added via the club’s website:

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“The sporting team conducted a diligent and thoughtful process that the Board is proud of. We are delighted that Mauricio will be joining Chelsea. Mauricio is a world-class coach with an outstanding track record. We are all looking forward to having him on board.”

Chelsea management splashed over $643 million on transfers but still finished 12th on the league table at the just concluded season, and there would be no European football next season.

Pochettino will now try to bolster the squad by signing new players to challenge for titles.

Below are 6 high-profile players who will be available in the transfer market.

6. Ilkay Gundogan

In 2016, the German midfielder signed a four year with Manchester City and in 2019, the deal was renewed for another four years.

He has featured in 302 matches in all competitions for the English club, scoring 58 goals. Gundogan boasts 5 Premier League titles, 1 FA Cup and 4 EFL titles, amongst others.

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The 32-year-old is having a remarkable season with the Etihad outfit and has played an important role in their Champions League campaign.

He will be available during the summer transfer window, but Chelsea need to make an effort as several other clubs are on the trail of the star.

5. Karim Benzema

Top clubs are already on the trail of the Real Madrid striker. His contract lapses this summer, and he has yet to sign a new deal with Los Blancos.

Reports have it that the Frenchman has been offered a massive £345m two-year deal to join an unnamed Saudi Arabian side this summer.

4. Marco Asencio

A number of Premier League clubs are already monitoring Asensio’s situation, including Aston Villa, as his contract with Real Madrid expires on June 30.

SPORTbible also reports that the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, AC Milan, and Arsenal have all registered interest in the 27-year-old.

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He would bring so much wealth of experience into the Chelsea squad if the Blues can sign him.

4. Milan Skriniar

Paris Saint-Germain seem to have an agreement to land Skriniar this summer. His contract with Inter Milan lapses this summer.

He would be an important addition should the Blues land him at Stamford Bridge ahead of the coming season.

Pochettino needs to improve his side’s defence, as Chelsea conceded quite a number of ‘silly’ goals and remained vulnerable at the back throughout the season.

2. Adrien Rabiot

Chelsea could solve their midfield problems by signing Juventus playmaker Adrien Rabiot who will be a free agent this summer.

At the moment, he has not renewed his deal with the Italian outfit. Rabiot has been linked with a possible move to Chelsea.

It is worth remembering that the deal is not easy despite the possibility of Rabiot moving on a free to the London club, but he has a high demand for wages.

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1. Lionel Messi

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has been given a last-gasp chance to sign Lionel Messi this summer, talkSPORT reports.

Messi’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain ends this summer, and it is almost certain that the Argentine will leave.

The Premier League club is currently enmeshed in financial problems and might be unable to fund the Argentine’s deal as he currently earns £500,000-a-week.

While Chelsea are not in the Champions League next season, that will not stop owner Boehly from splashing the cash, and someone to score goals is top of the wish list.

Messi linked with Barcelona return

Sports Brief earlier reported that Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez believes Lionel Messi making a return to the Catalan giants makes a lot of sporting sense.

Messi swapped Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 on the back of La Blaugrana's ailing financial situation and has been linked with a potential return in the summer.

Sharing his opinion on Messi retracing his steps to Camp Nou, Xavi, who guided Barca to their first league crown since 2019, stressed the importance of adding the Argentine phenom to his roster next season.