5 Talking Points As Pochettino’s Chelsea Reign Begins With 5:0 Win Over Wrexham

• Mauricio Pochettino won his first game as Chelsea boss with a resounding 5-0 win over Wrexham
• A youthful side began the game and kept it flowing before experience was added in the second half
• There was high praises for some debutantes including Andrey Santos, Cesare Casadei, and others

Chelsea got off to a winning start in Mauricio Pochettino's first game as head coach with a 5-0 victory over newly promoted League Two side, AFC Wrexham.

A youthful Blues side was captained by Trevoh Chalobah, underlining how young the side was, but they never looked out of pace and held things down well before some experience was thrown into the fray.

Sports Brief looks at five talking points as Pochettino faces big decisions over his squad's appearance when the Premier League season starts.

1. Chelsea have a clear identity

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One of Chelsea's biggest problems last season was an apparent lack of identity and style of play. Thomas Tuchel struggled early in the season due to personnel issues, but Graham Potter and Frank Lampard never imprinted any lasting ideas during their time. Poch has laid down his blueprint, which is evident from the get-go.

2. Chelsea must review loan list

The club had a reputation for having a robust loan army until FIFA limited it to seven - and will further reduce it to six from July 1, 2024. There are planned loans for youngsters like Andrey Santos, Cesare Casadei, and Angelo Gabriel but after the game against Wrexham, a reconsideration has to be made.

3. Chelsea's present is not fixed

The team Pochettino will start the season with looks good on paper, but in reality, it is a team a bit off from competing due to lacking in some key areas that cannot all be fixed all this summer. The club will need to be careful to invest due to injured players returning and youngsters stepping up.

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4. Chelsea's future is great

Todd Boehly has invested heavily in youth recruitment and is still doing so. This, coupled with an ever-producing academy, could make the club self-sufficient in a few years with an array of young talents they have at their disposal. This was just a pre-season game against Wrexham, but the signs are good.

5. Chelsea should still sign Caicedo

The Athletic reported that Brighton rejected Chelsea's second offer of £70 million for Moises Caicedi but having agreed on personal terms with the player, the Blues must get him at all costs. Santos may have impressed at DM, but it is risky to thrust him straight to the action, while another season of Enzo Fernandez is not best for all parties.

Pochettino explains bizarre Chelsea substitution

Sports Brief reported on Pochettino explaining Marc Cucurella's off-on substitution in the second half of the game - a move that would have been illegal in competitive games.

The coach claimed Chalobah felt a pull in his Achilles tendon, consulting with the officials and Wrexham backroom before the substitution despite Thiago Silva on the bench.