Chelsea’s summer rebuild under new manager Mauricio Pochettino has resulted in the departure of key players Kai Havertz and Mason Mount. However, former England midfielder Paul Merson has raised doubts about the club’s decision, criticizing it as “not good business.”
Chelsea’s Overhaul and Player Sales
Chelsea is undergoing a major overhaul after finishing 12th in the previous season. Ahead of Mauricio Pochettino’s first game as manager, the club has already offloaded several players. Notably, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly have moved to the Saudi Pro League, while Kai Havertz and Mason Mount are staying in England.
Merson’s Critique of Chelsea’s Transfer Strategy
Paul Merson, the former England midfielder, has voiced his concerns over Chelsea’s decision to sell Kai Havertz and Mason Mount to direct rivals. He believes this move is “not good business” and questions why the club would weaken itself by selling two of its best players to competitors like Manchester United and Arsenal.
Merson suggests that selling to top European clubs like Real Madrid or Bayern Munich would have made more sense.
Merson also highlights Chelsea’s treatment of Mason Mount, which may have influenced his desire to move on. Mount, who failed to reach an agreement on a new contract, might have felt undervalued compared to other players. Merson reminds us that Mount was the team’s best player in the previous season and won the Player of the Year award twice.
With the sale of Mount bringing Chelsea’s incoming transfer fees to over £150m, Mauricio Pochettino is expected to reinvest in key positions. The central midfield area is particularly crucial, with the departures of Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Merson believes the Blues are in dire need of reinforcements in this area.
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Chelsea’s Pre-season Tour and Upcoming Premier League Campaign
Chelsea is embarking on a pre-season tour in the United States, where they will face teams like Wrexham and Brighton’s Caicedo before the end of July.
Their Premier League campaign begins on August 13 with a match against Liverpool, marking Pochettino’s first competitive game as Chelsea’s manager. The club hopes to strengthen their squad further before the start of the season.
Chelsea’s summer rebuild and player sales have raised eyebrows, with Paul Merson criticizing the decision to sell Kai Havertz and Mason Mount to direct rivals. The club’s treatment of Mount may have contributed to his desire to seek opportunities elsewhere.
As the new season approaches, Chelsea aims to reinvest in key positions and solidify their squad for the challenges ahead under Mauricio Pochettino’s leadership.
