How Mauricio Pochettino can get Chelsea back on track

New Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino takes over a team that has just finished 12th and has the Premier League’s lowest points total ever.

He will be charged with overseeing a major improvement in results and Mail sports looks at some of the areas that need to be addressed to get Chelsea back on track.

Raise standards

Interim manager Frank Lampard has chosen his words carefully when discussing the situation he inherited from Graham Potter.

One thing he hasn’t shied away from is the drop in standards around Chelsea. He knows how high they must be because they were at the club in their peak years. Bringing them back will be one of Pochettino’s main tasks and will set the tone for his reign.

The departure of a range of staff who knew what it took to bring silverware to Chelsea was seen as worrying developments creating a know-how void among the trophy-winning know-how at the club.

It cannot be Pochettino’s sole responsibility to raise the bar again, but the likes of Erik Ten Hag, Roberto De Zerbi and Unai Emery have all shown what a powerful, transformative impact a strong manager can have in one season on a team. whole club at United. Brighton and Aston Villa respectively.

Creating a spirit, culture and unity was something he prioritized early on in his spells at Southampton and Tottenham. At Southampton and Spurs he made players walk on hot coals, while in north London he supported the installation of communal barbecue areas on the training ground.

Picking the perfect methods to create a sense of belonging at Chelsea will likely be one of Pochettino’s first goals.

The 51-year-old is big on respect – not just for him, but everyone is treated equally regardless of job title – as well as energy and positivity. He will certainly be a mood changer at Stamford Bridge.

Overhaul team

How much of this Chelsea can do this summer will go a long way in defining Pochettino’s first season. There is a huge amount of work to be done, both indoors and outdoors this summer.

The squad is too big – over 30 players – and that’s before some mercenaries return and pre-agreed signings like Christopher Nkunku and Malo Gusto arrive.

Some players have to leave, there are troubled players who want out, while others may have to leave against their will to bring the team back to more manageable levels.

Pochettino would certainly prefer a smaller pool of players to work with, one that allows for real competition for places, but also leaves room for him to give training and playing opportunities to the academy or young players to show if they have the to take a step up.

That will be good news for a number of Chelsea potentials. A central midfielder, striker and goalkeeper are targeted.

There is a belief at Chelsea that in Enzo Fernandez they have the potential of one of the world’s best number 8s. He has shown his potential. Give him a commanding, more defensive partner and he should continue to thrive.

The need for a regular source of goals, opening the door for Romelu Lukaku to return and upgrade between the sticks, is clear.

There was a youthful focus on Chelsea’s transfer business in January, but a bit more experience is needed, particularly in the Premier League. The same goes for improved alignment throughout the club from the top down and discussions noted how willing Pochettino was to fit into the club’s existing structure and will work closely with co-sports directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.

Coach to cohesive unity

One area where Pochettino excels is on the training pitch and that’s the kind of manager this group desperately needs. Someone whose coaching credentials at the highest level, particularly in the Premier League, speak for themselves and who is able to inspire them from the sidelines.

There has been a lack of clarity at Chelsea since the change of ownership, which has been reflected on the pitch. No manager has been able to implement a style. Pochettino should do better and has the aura and man management skills to communicate effectively and secure buy-in.

Pochettino will give his new group a lot to improve them but expect the same in return in terms of sheer hard work. In his book Brave New World, Pochettino, a disciple of Marcelo Bielsa, explains how similar Newell’s Old Boys team – the first senior side Chelsea’s new head coach played in – was to his Spurs team – intense, pressured, fast . .

“We seemed to dominate physically and our game was about smothering our opponents, making them uncomfortable when we didn’t have the ball. We had to believe in the coach to make it work.’

The description is very similar to his very best Spurs squads, especially the ones he fielded in their final spell at White Hart Lane. Pochettino’s past connections may be a source of contention for some, but he won’t go wrong if he can replicate the style of his ruthless Spurs sides at Stamford Bridge.

Restore aura

Under Pochettino, Spurs once went unbeaten at home for an entire season, winning 17 and drawing two of their 19 league games in their final campaign at White Hart Lane, showing the kind of dominant force Pochettino can build.

Chelsea have had a bad season and seemed to lose confidence as it progressed, but especially on their own field.

Only five teams had a worse home record than Chelsea in 2022/23. They won just six of their 19 home games and scored just 20 goals.

They weren’t much better in their travels, finishing 11th at the away table. But their form at Stamford Bridge could provide a platform for the resurgence and it’s a clear area for improvement.

The pitch and the team have lost their aura, with it being noticeable over the season how few teams were afraid to play at Chelsea.