Mauricio Pochettino going back on his word as Chelsea work on four more signings

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has seemingly gone back on his word as he pushes to complete four more signings. The Argentine has previously stated he wants a smaller squad but is continuing to add new faces.

Pochettino has already shifted a large number of high-profile players. Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic have all joined Premier League rivals, while Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy and N’Golo Kante have moved to the Saudi Pro League.

Christian Pulisic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have also departed for AC Milan, while Cesar Azpilicueta and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left on free transfers.

But Chelsea still have a large squad, something Pochettino complained about as recently as Saturday. He took 29 players on tour to the USA.

However, the focus currently appears to be on further incomings. Monaco defender Axel Disasi looks set to be the next player through the door after a deal was agreed over the weekend of just over £38million.

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The signings aren’t likely to stop there. Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez is on their radar to provide competition for Kepa Arrizabalaga.

There is also no secret that Chelsea want to sign Sanchez’s Seagulls team-mate Moises Caicedo. The Blues have seen multiple offers rebuffed as Brighton hold out for £100m.

Even if Chelsea cannot complete a deal for Caicedo, they will look to bring in another midfield target. Southampton’s Romeo Lavia is on their shortlist, although Liverpool are hoping to sign the teenager.

The fourth signing Chelsea could soon make is a striker. Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic has emerged as an option.

Romelu Lukaku could head in the opposite direction in a player-plus-cash deal for Vlahovic. But even with the Belgian’s departure, adding four new faces to the squad only swells it further.

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Only at the weekend did Pochettino say his squad was too big already. He said: “We are 29 players here and the squad is massive. It is about creating a squad with good balance and people who can play and can compete for their place.

“That is a big job and challenge for us in the transfer window, to build a good relationship and good balance. If players are not happy because they believe they are not going to play, we are going to find a solution with the club and fix the situation.

“We cannot have a massive squad, players not involved, then it’s going to create a mess. Maybe less is more and more is less. That is why I need to make clear – we don’t need a big squad.

“We need 22, 23, 24 players with some younger, and that’s it. I am so sorry because maybe the decision will be tough, but we need to build a good and balanced team who want to compete for things.”

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