Mauricio Pochettino continues to straddle the line between focusing attention on his plans for the future with Chelsea and also not quite committing himself to the cause 100 per cent. It comes with his position in charge for next season not yet being totally confirmed heading into the final week of his first campaign as coach.

The summer ahead will be a big one either way. With Pochettino there are key changes needed to reinforce the squad and to add experience as well as readymade quality. Without him there would remain additions across the group to be sorted.

When asked about the summer during his pre-Bournemouth press conference on Friday, Pochettino described just how things are working. "That is a talk we will do with the sporting directors and the owners will be involved, to see how we can [improve]," he said.

"Football is a very dynamic sport and things can change. We are working for the summer and preseason and to prepare in the best way."

Here, football.london has the latest Chelsea headlines from across the media watch a fresh take on all the goings on at Stamford Bridge. Starting with the noise around the man himself...

Pochettino alternative

Chelsea have made Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna one of their top candidates to replace Pochettino if the head coach leaves at the end of the season. Pochettino is due an assessment from the decision-makers at Stamford Bridge following the conclusion of his first year in charge.

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This will be overseen by co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, who were key to his hire last year, as well as co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital's Behdad Eghbali. The Guardian write that McKenna, who won his second promotion in a row with the Tractor Boys to see them up into the Premier League for next season, is a leading target for the Blues.

Chelsea could yet split with Pochettino despite a promising end to the season having them on the brink of securing some form of European football. The Argentine himself admitted that it will be a two-way discussion over how the club moves forward, suggesting that he will leave if certain aspects of the plan aren't aligned.

football.london says: The timing of this is really questionable, but largely shouldn't be anything too much to worry about for those now advocating for Pochettino and less change at Chelsea. On the eve of what could cap off a strangely successful season, the 52-year-old won't enjoy this report at all though.

He has complained publicly in recent weeks of effectively not being backed outright and for the lack of understanding over the 'circumstances' that have resulted in a tricky first year. To then see suggestions that the club are eyeing up his replacement - talking to McKenna's representatives - is quite a kick.

Chelsea would be being naive if they weren't contingency planning, however. Teams at the top are always on their toes, and sounding out a manager over their interest is not the same as approaching them or acting on admiration.

McKenna is a logical name to be linked with the top jobs due to his links with Manchester United and Jose Mourinho, plus his small body of work is mightily impressive. Vincent Kompany was in the same situation last year when tipped to become the new Tottenham manager.

Whilst certainly a top young coach, McKenna is not the sort of manager that Chelsea really need in reality. He is not totally comparable to Graham Potter but this would be a remarkable step-up that asks brand new questions of a junior coach. Chelsea don't need to be taking this sort of risk right now and would be pretty crazy to consider anything other than moving forward with Pochettino, at least for now.

Even for Chelsea's standards, it is hard to see a way that Pochettino isn't in the dugout at SW6 come August. Never say never though.

Estevao extravaganza

Chelsea's next big-money teenage signing, Estevao Willian, is not being lined up for a loan when he turns 18 in 2025. Fabrizio Romano reports that the Brazilian sensation will instead join up with the first-team when he eventually moves to England next summer.

The wonderkid has agreed to join Chelsea in what is said to be a £34million initial deal including over £20million of potential add-ons. It is now waiting on the sign-off from Palmeiras' president, and Estevao will pen a seven-year deal running until 2032, starting from his 18th birthday in 12 months time.

He will arrive at the club at the same time as fellow South America ace Kendry Paez. He remains at Independiente del Valle in Ecuador and has been catching the eye.

football.london says: It's certainly easier said than done, integrating a player this young into the senior set-up smoothly, but Chelsea are investing millions (and millions, and millions) into plans to do just that. Along with Estevao they have signed Paez, Angelo Gabriel (free), Andrey Santos, and Deivid Washington as exciting teens from South America alone.

Even as one of the top-rated young players in the world - and he really is seen as one of the best there is for his age - there is no guarantee of success for Estevao, there never is. In 2025 he will still be just 18 and raw talent only takes you so far. Moving to England, learning a new language, and competing in a tougher league will all have to be factored into the club's plans for him.

It's a bold statement from Chelsea, to pump this much into players that are not only unavailable for selection but also far from certain to reach the desired level, but also to keep doing it during a rocky patch on the field (even with the upturn in results) and with financial pressure on them.

How they put these bodies on a pathway of development at the club and manage them is something yet to be seen or explained properly. Until then doubts will remain.