September 19, 2024

Mauricio Pochettino drops huge £62m transfer hint with explicitly clear Chelsea defender message

Mauricio Pochettino has a wealth of left-backs to choose from in pre-season as three Chelsea stars look to dislodge Ben Chilwell from the starting lineup

Mauricio Pochettino has suggested that Marc Cucurella could leave Chelsea this summer. The 24-year-old defender has been heavily linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge following the return of Ian Maatsen, who enjoyed a very successful loan spell at Burnley.

The Cobham graduate, who sees his contract at Stamford Bridge expire in 2024, featured 39 times for Vincent Kompany’s side in the Championship last season, directly contributing towards ten goals from left-back. He played a major role in helping Burnley secure promotion back into the Premier League, with his efforts reportedly courting the interest of Pochettino.

According to CaughtOffside, the former Tottenham boss has personally blocked Maatsen from leaving the club this summer. The report states that Pochettino is keen to assess the Netherlands Under-21 international in pre-season, blocking an approach from Burnley to re-sign the youngster.

Assuming Ben Chilwell retains his place in the Chelsea starting lineup, Pochettino will still be left with three other left-backs who will be keen to deputise the England international – Cucurella, Maatsen and Lewis Hall. The former faces an increasingly uncertain future at the club following a disappointing campaign, while the latter is a midfielder by trade and could very well provide cover in said department.

By handing Maatsen the chance to rival Chilwell for a place in the first-team, he would likely replace the Spaniard’s place in the squad – just 12-months after signing him for an eye-watering £62million. Speaking to Sky Sports in January, Kompany explained exactly why the Dutchman deserve a chance at the highest level.

“Ian is doing exactly what he needs to be doing,” said the Burnley boss. “With his stature, he’s not making the game about what the other players want, it’s about what he has in terms of his skill and tools.

“He’s part of such a very strong list of players who have done really well for us this season. The ingredients are always the same.

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‘You always worry’ – James Trafford England admission made ahead of Burnley transfer from Man City

The goalkeeper is poised to move to the Clarets from Manchester City after a £19m fee was agreed

England under-21 boss Lee Carsley believes James Trafford will be ‘absolutely fine’ at Burnley with his pending move from Manchester City as he was mindful of the transfer in the background.

The Clarets have agreed an overall £19m deal with City for the services of the young goalkeeper. He has spent the last 18 months out on loan at Bolton Wanderers getting regular game time under his belt and gaining experience of men’s professional football.

Trafford was the hero for the Young Lions recently in the European Champions under-21 final 1-0 victory against Spain. The 20-year-old stopper made an extra-double save from a penalty, as Carsley’s side emerged victorious and with the trophy thanks to Curtis Jones’ winner.

With the European Championships now concluded and Trafford no longer on international duty, the transfer can move on to the stage in terms of a medical with talks already having been at an advanced stage. When the deal is done, Trafford will become the second goalkeeper Vincent Kompany’s side have signed this summer, following the arrival of Lawrence Vigouroux.

Carsley recognised that Trafford and a few of his team-mates have their club futures at a crossroads in the background when on international duty, but the England under-21 boss believes the goalkeeper realised he had their support in the matter. He has no concerns over Trafford at the Clarets, though admitted there was always a slight worry with players when in the process of changing their clubs and what comes with it.

“I think he’ll be absolutely fine,” Carsley told BBC Sport. “Wherever he goes and wherever he plays, he’s got a really top mentality.

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