Mauricio Pochettino: Outgoing Chelsea Boss Had Major Doubts About 2 Stars in the Squad

• More details have emerged on Mauricio Pochettino’s exit from Chelsea
• The Argentine was reportedly unsure about the club’s big-money signings
• Pochettino parted ways with Chelsea by mutual consent on Tuesday, May 21

As the football world comes to terms with Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea exit, fresh details have emerged on his troubled stint at Stamford Bridge.

The Argentine parted ways with the Blues on Tuesday, May 21, with the club releasing a statement saying their split was a matter of 'mutual consent'.

The former Paris Saint-Germain boss endured a difficult first season with the West London club, but there were glimpses of improvement towards the end of the 2023/2024 campaign as Chelsea won their last five fixtures to secure a sixth-place finish in the Premier League table.

5 times Leandro Trossard saved Arsenal’s silverware ambitions this season

Football

Despite reaching the final of the Carabao Cup and going all the way to the FA Cup semi-finals, the club ultimately decided to part ways with the manager after 11 months.

Pochettino’s concern about Chelsea signings

One key reason for Pochettino’s departure was said to be his reservations about Chelsea’s transfer approach.

According to Metro, the 52-year-old was particularly critical of two of the Blues' most expensive signings - Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez.

The Athletic reports that the outgoing manager was growing increasingly concerned about the squad's ‘quality and balance’, as evidenced during his press conferences as Blues’ boss, where he always touched on his squad’s age.

Pochettino was reportedly never entirely sold on Caicedo and Fernandez, two players bought for more than £100 million ($127mil) each.

He was apprehensive about the pair's quality, and based on his previous experience with Tottenham Hotspur, did not believe they had what it took to cope in English football.

Chelsea want to sign Brazilian sensation with eerie similarities to Neymar

Football

Caicedo’s positional discipline also came into question. One player Pochettino ranked highly was Conor Gallagher, who was given the captain’s armband in the absence of Reece James.

Caicedo scores goal of the season contender

Sports Brief also reported on Caicedo’s only Chelsea goal this season which was in the final round of matches.

The midfielder scored from the halfway line to give his side the lead against Bournemouth on Sunday, May 19.

The Cherries goalkeeper, Neto, did well to keep off Sterling before successfully challenging Gallagher as well.