‘If you sign so many top young players you’re going to have a problem’: Ex-Chelsea star Nemanja Matic backs Mauricio Pochettino on a steadily sinking ship at Blues, but warns him about ‘balance’ in the squad if he takes the job
- Nemanja Matic played more than 100 games for Chelsea in four seasons
- Former Premier League winner spoke out about the mess at his old club
- Now at Roma, Matic says the incoming Mauricio Pochettino will have a problem
Nemanja Matic has warned Mauricio Pochettino of a problem he will have at the Blues next season when he takes over at Chelsea.
The defensive midfielder, who made more than 100 appearances for the club between 2014 and 2017, had his say on his former side’s current plight.
Chelsea lost 3-1 at Arsenal on Tuesday evening and are 12th in the Premier League. She lost every game under interim boss Frank Lampard after Graham Potter’s firing.
They look set to strike a deal to make Pochettino the next permanent boss, but Matic believes the Argentine will need time to sort out the issues he will face.
“I think so (Pochettino will take time,” he told Sky Sports.
Former Chelsea star Nemanja Matic, now at Roma, thinks the club has a problem next season
Chelsea are in crisis, losing to Arsenal on Tuesday night amid dismal form
Matic, who won the Premier League twice with Chelsea, warned Mauricio Pochettino of the problem he could have with so many young players at The Blues if he takes over
“I must say Chelsea have done a fantastic job in signing so many talented players, but in the future, next season, they will have to find a balance between experience and young players.
“If you sign six, seven or eight top young talents, they all expect to play and that’s a problem.
He also pointed out that not all those young stars, such as Enzo Fernandez, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Noni Madueke – all of whom have been part of new owner Todd Boehly’s £600m-plus spending spree since he took over – will move at the same pace. to develop.
“Some will need time to adapt to the Premier League,” the 34-year-old continued.
They need another six months or a season to adapt, but during that transition the experienced players can help them.
“I think at the end of the season they will understand what the problem was and they will try to change.
“Next season I expect Chelsea to be much better, but it will be very difficult.”
Of Pochettino, the Roma midfielder added: “He’s a great manager. He showed at Spurs and PSG that he can play great football.
Mykhaylo Mudryk (right) is one of the expensive youngsters who have not yet fully settled
Matic believes Pochettino has all the tools to be successful as a Chelsea manager
“He has experience and I know he is very professional and honest, so why can’t he do it?”
Matic originally signed for Chelsea in 2009 before moving on to Benfica on loan. He then returned in 2014 for £21 million where he won the Premier League twice.
He then followed Jose Mourinho to Manchester United for five seasons before rejoining the Portuguese boss in Rome, where he has been a mainstay of the side this season.