MAURICIO POCHETTINO has launched a brutal dig at Chelsea’s summer transfer policy after the club’s latest signing.
Chelsea agreed a £23.5million fee with Rennes for the signing of 19-year-old midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu with the midfielder expected to complete the move shortly.
Pochettino is keen to bolster a Chelsea midfield that currently boasts 23-year-old Conor Gallagher as its most experienced player in the central midfield role.
Ugochukwu made 35 appearances for Rennes last season despite his young age and has represented France at Under-19 level nine times.
But it’s clear that the Argentine does not see Ugochukwu as a player that will boost his midfield options, at least in the short term.
When asked whether the signing boosted his midfield after Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over rivals Fulham in a pre-season friendly, the manager said: “My information is he is a player that is from France that maybe they are signing with the idea to send on some loan, using a different club but that information was already in your laptop.
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“There is nothing to say too much.”
The dismissal of Ugochukwu’s signing comes after Pochettino warned that Chelsea’s upcoming season could be a “mess” if Chelsea’s 29-man squad is not thinned.
The window has seen experienced midfielders Mason Mount and Matteo Kovacic leave.
And Pochettino is keen to replace these outgoing stars with some much needed experience in the midfield.
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The club remain keen on a deal for 21-year-old Brighton midfielder who has two seasons of Premier League experience under his belt.
The midfielder shone last year, and was subject to two bids from Arsenal during last season’s January window.
Chelsea have so far had two bids for Caicedo rejected this summer, the second of which was worth £80m.
Brighton are holding out for their full £100m asking price amid reports that Chelsea bosses will attempt to negotiate this fee down.
Meanwhile Chelsea have agreed a £39m fee for 25-year-old French defender Axel Disasi from Monaco.
The centre-back, who has made four appearances for the French national team will provide some much-needed defensive reinforcement after Wesley Fofana’s latest knee injury.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
