MAURICIO POCHETTINO is set to offer Romelu Lukaku a Chelsea lifeline, according to reports.
The Argentine, 51, looks on course to be Graham Potter’s permanent replacement at Stamford Bridge and could even be appointed this week.
The ex-Tottenham and PSG boss has held talks with the West Londoners with negotiations progressing well.
And one of the key issues will be what to do with Lukaku.
The Belgian striker, 29, rejoined Chelsea for £97million in 2021 but fell out with former boss Thomas Tuchel, prompting him to be shipped out to Inter Milan for this season.
However, a combination of injury and poor form means the Italians are unsure whether they will explore another loan or even buying Lukaku back.
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And now The Telegraph state Chelsea are planning talks with the forward.
It is understood they will sit down to discuss the player’s options and a return to the Blues first team has not been ruled out yet.
That is despite Lukaku allegedly preferring to stay at the San Siro after a difficult first season back at Stamford Bridge, in which he scored eight Premier League goals.
Chelsea know they need to trim down the bloated squad when the transfer market reopens after spending more than £600m on new recruits this season.
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Ironically, though, a No9 is still needed – but Pochettino may relish the chance to work with Lukaku.
Armando Broja should also be back in contention for the new season as he recovers from ACL knee surgery.
Poch helped transform Harry Kane from a fringe man into a record-breaking goal machine – and Chelsea will no doubt be hoping he can work similar wonders with their current attackers.
As revealed by SunSport, the free agent manager is confident he can transform the fortunes of the struggling side languishing 11th in the Premier League table despite dozens of international players.
He will try and bring long-serving assistants Jesus Perez, Toni Jiminez plus sports scientist son Sebastiano with him to Stamford Bridge if he becomes the fifth manager in the chaotic Todd Boehly regime – although Frank Lampard is expected to stay on as interim boss for the time being.
Pochettino, Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann – all currently without a job – have been interviewed for the job, but ex-Bayern Munich chief Nagelsmann is understood to have ruled himself out.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
