Chelsea’s £138m transfer ‘breakthrough’ creates new problem for Pochettino

Chelsea are desperate to bolster their midfield options before the transfer window closes and have reportedly made huge strides in their attempts to sign Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo. Signing both will cost in the region of £138million, but finding that sort of money won’t be the only issue for Todd Boehly and co.

Chelsea’s ownership group have proven over the past 12 months that they’re willing to splash huge sums of cash in the transfer market. No club in Europe has come close to matching Chelsea’s spending power and it shows no signs of stopping with approaches made for Caicedo and Lavia.

Mauricio Pochettino is in need of midfield recruits after Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were let go this summer. It’s left just Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher as the two recognised central midfielders in Chelsea’s squad.

Carney Chukwuemeka and Andrey Santos have been given opportunities this summer to show what they can do, but both are seen as stars for the future. Bids for both Caicedo and Lavia prove that Chelsea aren’t happy with the options currently at their disposal.

But Pochettino will have to be wary of his squad size for the upcoming season still with no European football to help utilise some of his more younger players. Both Chukwuemeka and Santos will be hoping they’re given opportunities at Stamford Bridge this season.

Lavia would also fall into the same category as Santos and Chukwuemeka with the Southampton star just 19 years of age himself. Chelsea’s interest in Caicedo is more understandable given his experience in the Premier League and on the world stage.

But Pochettino would then have to figure out what to do with Conor Gallagher, who has formed a strong partnership with Fernandez in pre-season.

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At 23 years of age, Gallagher is incredibly Chelsea’s most senior midfielder and Pochettino has already stated the midfielder is part of his plans at Stamford Bridge. But Gallagher’s position in the starting line-up will immediately be under threat if both Lavia and Caicedo arrive.

And without any European football to help give others minutes, Pochettino will face a headache in trying to keep all his players happy. The Argentine coach already faces a similar situation in central defence following the signing of Axel Disasi.

Chelsea currently have seven senior centre-backs on their books with Benoit Badiashile returning to training this week. Something has to give in that department and a similar issue may arise in midfield if both Lavia and Caicedo are signed.

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