Pochettino arrival too late for Chelsea with top star poised for Liverpool move despite start of new Blues era

An influential Chelsea player is preparing to jump ship and sign for Liverpool, with Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival reportedly coming too late for the Blues to change his mind.

Pochettino has been viewed as the frontrunner for the Chelsea managerial role in the last few weeks. Last Monday, David Ornstein of The Athletic revealed Chelsea would be announcing him as their new boss ‘in the coming days’.

That announcement has not yet arrived, although it does not look like it will take much longer. On Saturday, various sources including Fabrizio Romano, The Athletic and The Telegraph revealed Chelsea had reached a full agreement with the former Tottenham boss. He will soon travel to London to sign all of the necessary paperwork.

Pochettino, along with senior Chelsea officials, will work tirelessly this summer to reshape the squad. Hakim Ziyech, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Edouard Mendy and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are just some of the players who could be sold to trim the squad down.

Pochettino will also have to bring in a new striker, as Chelsea have lacked goals this campaign. Blues scouts are known to be admirers of Napoli star Victor Osimhen, although it may be hard to capture him this summer without being able to offer Champions League football.

The Sun have now provided an intriguing report which details the Argentine’s plans at Stamford Bridge. They reveal how Pochettino wants to rely on creative midfielder Mason Mount and make him one of the most important players in the Chelsea side once again.

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However, Pochettino’s appointment may have come too late. Mount is in the middle of a contract stand-off with Chelsea, and has been for most of the season.

Mount’s current deal expires in June 2024. He wants to become one of the top earners at Chelsea with his new contract, but club officials are unwilling to meet his demands.

Chelsea ace ‘set to leave’ with Liverpool lurking

The England international is now ‘set to leave’ Chelsea as the relationship between the club and his agent are at an ‘all-time low’.

“It feels like it is too late now for Mason,” The Sun report one of their sources as saying.

“Pochettino is good but he can’t work miracles.

“If he had been brought in when Chelsea sacked Thomas Tuchel in September then maybe it would be a different story.

“But in ten months there hasn’t been any resolution and other clubs want him. Good luck to Poch and Mason but we’re not hopeful.”

Mount has been linked with moves to either Arsenal or Manchester United. But it is far more likely he will sign for Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp has been on the lookout for alternative midfield signings after Liverpool decided Jude Bellingham would be too expensive.

Talk is ramping up regarding an impressive double deal for Mount and Brighton ace Alexis Mac Allister.

Liverpool are eyeing up the opportunity to sign Mount as he should be available for a reduced price given his contract situation. The Reds could strike a deal at around the £60m mark.

Mount would be a good signing for Liverpool. In previous seasons with Chelsea he has proven himself to be a top Premier League creator. For example, in the 2021-22 season he notched 11 goals and 10 assists in 32 appearances. Mount also has international experience, having won 36 caps for England, while at 24 he has plenty of his career ahead of him too.

Liverpool fans may be slightly concerned about Mount’s form as he has endured his worst season in a Chelsea shirt this term. However, Klopp is a great motivator and man-manager and the German will believe he can get Mount back to his brilliant best.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are reportedly nudging ahead of Man Utd in the chase for a hugely talented Dutchman.