Pochettino press conference LIVE! Latest updates as Chelsea boss faces media for first time

Pochettino press conference LIVE!

Mauricio Pochettino conducted his first official press conference as Chelsea’s new manager this afternoon. The former Spurs boss has already outlined his vision to revive the Blues after a nightmare season during an opening interview with the club’s official channels on Tuesday, but today faced questions from the assembled media as he completed his first week in charge.

The confident and charismatic Pochettino was hailed for his assured start in that aforementioned interview that riled Tottenham fans, with his emotive messages to supporters well-received and in stark contract to predecessor Graham Potter. There was more of the same from the Argentine today, as well as updates on Chelsea’s latest transfer business, his plans for next season, the upcoming US tour, an ongoing squad overhaul and much more.

Pochettino was also quizzed on the exit of Mason Mount, who joined Manchester United in a £60million deal this week after 18 years at Stamford Bridge, and the appointment of a new captain after Cesar Azpilicueta’s departure. Standard Sport’s chief football correspondent Dan Kilpatrick was in attendance along with Chelsea reporter Nizaar Kinsella, so follow reaction from Pochettino’s first Chelsea press conference live below!

Mauricio Pochettino press conference news

• Start time: 2:30pm BST

• How to watch: Chelsea’s official channels

• Pochettino’s first press conference agenda

• New boss strikes right tone in maiden interview

15:20 , George Flood

And that concludes the broadcast section of Mauricio Pochettino’s first Chelsea press conference.

Stay tuned for full reaction from Standard Sport duo Dan Kilpatrick and Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge.

15:10 , George Flood

15:08 , George Flood

Pochettino is now asked if Romelu Lukaku will return to Chelsea this summer.

The manager says he is due back on the 12th or 13th of July and will start pre-season at Cobham.

He says he expects to talk to Lukaku in his office, as with every player, if indeed he remains on Chelsea’s books by that point.

15:07 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella asks Pochettino about Chelsea’s ongoing summer exodus.

He says it is not a big issue or problem for the future and that he doesn’t think too much about it.

15:05 , George Flood

Pochettino says Chelsea need to finish signing players before he can make a decision on who will replace the departed Cesar Azpilicueta as captain.

15:04 , George Flood

15:04 , George Flood

15:03 , George Flood

The affable Pochettino reiterates that he is a “far better” manager now than his last spell in the Premier League.

He says he has learned a lot on and off the pitch to become a better person and coach.

Asked if he has a point to prove back in the English top-flight, he says: “Always.”

15:02 , George Flood

Pochettino jokingly asks the press officer how transparent he should be about initial talks over the Chelsea job, when asked about his rumoured demands.

He says he was pleased that the hierarchy were so honest with him from the outset and on their plans moving forward.

He insists he is not a coach that needs to ask for power and demand various clauses to that effect in his contract.

He wants to show players, fans and the club that they can trust in his decisions and his methods for the future.

He says Chelsea now need to create their own philosophy moving forward.

14:59 , George Flood

Pochettino admits he knows he has to deliver from day one at Stamford Bridge.

“At Chelsea, it is not about asking for time. It is about delivering from day one and that’s what we are working on in the training ground.

“Football is about today or yesterday, not long-term.”

14:57 , George Flood

Pochettino stresses the need to find the right profile of player in the transfer market.

He doesn’t want to pinpoint what exactly his biggest challenge is.

“The priority is to finish the squad and have a very balanced squad,” he says.

“I think the club, in the plan, produced a number of players. It is important to find the right profiles we can add and create a good dynamic.”

14:56 , George Flood

Pochettino says it is a pleasure to coach compatriot Enzo Fernandez as he hails Argentina’s World Cup triumph in Qatar.

He hopes they can now win many trophies together.

14:55 , George Flood

Pochettino swerves a question about giving himself a nickname akin to Jose Mourinho’s ‘The Special One’.

He says he knows he needs to build a positive relationship with Chelsea fans after previous run-ins with London rivals Tottenham, including the infamous ‘Battle of the Bridge’ from 2016.

He says he wants everyone moving together in the right direction in a quest to overcome the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool.

14:54 , George Flood

Pochettino is asked if Treble winners Manchester City and Pep Guardiola are now unbeatable.

The Argentine praises his former rival, comparing some of City’s achievements to Chelsea’s in the not-too-distant past.

“It’s going to be tough but we need to believe we can compete with a team like Manchester City,” he says.

14:52 , George Flood

Pochettino says he has spoken to Chelsea duo Levi Colwill and Noni Madueke ahead of tomorrow’s European Under-21 Championship final between England and Spain in Georgia.

He says he has wished them all the best and that the pair will join Chelsea on their pre-season tour of the United States.

“I know Noni from Tottenham, Levi I don’t know him but I watch,” he says. “For me, Spain vs England is difficult. They will join us when we fly to America.”

14:51 , George Flood

Pochettino is asked about how much say he has had on the incomings and outgoings at Chelsea so far this summer.

He reiterates that he only started the job on July 1, with Winstanley, Stewart and the club’s owners having presented their plans for the squad to him back in May.

He says he is happy about what has happened so far, trusting the club and will now be more involved.

“Paul and Laurence presented me a strategy plan in May after I agreed to work in July,” he says.

“They started to work, I didn’t. The club started to work, they did a fantastic job. They continue to work to the plan. I am now more involved to work with them.”

14:49 , George Flood

Pochettino is now asked about what he would consider a successful first season at the helm.

He talks about purely winning and being the best, stressing the need to work hard.

He says he doesn’t want to make any excuses after last season.

He then again stresses the need for togetherness throughout the club.

“My target is to win, my aim is to win. When you are at Chelsea, you can’t just do a nice job by playing well. The philosophy is to win.”

14:48 , George Flood

Pochettino isn’t willing to delve into the Mason Mount specifics, insisting his focus is now on moving forward.

But he does say he is sure that Mount loved Chelsea.

“When I talk about the future, it is the players that are here,” he says.

“He [Mount] is a Manchester United player now. For sure, he loved the club but I don’t know what happened in the past. I want to have respect for our players and move on.”

14:47 , George Flood

“We have quality and we are going to add more quality,” says Pochettino when asked again about transfers and Chelsea’s failures last season.

He evidently wants to consign that to the past and says he is a positive person who wants to look forward.

“In football, you need to move on quick. If not, you are dead,” he says. “We have not our whole squad but they are very open. We have quality and we are going to add more quality.”

14:46 , George Flood

Pochettino says he trusts fully in Chelsea’s hierarchy to “provide the tools to be competitive” as he is asked about the make-up of his squad.

Specifically he mentions co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.

“We need to set the levels for the next three weeks to create a competitive team because the Premier League is very tough,” he says.

“I have found good people with good attitude and so far, so good. I hope to keep this feeling for the rest of the season.”

14:44 , George Flood

A joke from Pochettino to kick off: “I hope you are nice to me because I know this press conference is not compulsory and I can walk away!”

He then thanks reporters for the welcome and speaks of his pride at being back in the Premier League.

He waxes lyrical about Chelsea’s successful recent history and speaks of building positive relationships with everyone at the club.

He says Chelsea is full of good people with positive attitudes and he wants to carry on building a competitive squad.

“So far, so good,” he says.

14:42 , George Flood

Mauricio Pochettino is in the building!

His first press conference as Chelsea boss is now officially underway at Stamford Bridge.

14:36 , George Flood

No sign of Pochettino yet, but don’t go anywhere.

His first Chelsea press conference will be up and running very shortly.

Who will become Chelsea’s new captain?

14:28 , George Flood

Cesar Azpilicueta has now completed his move to Atletico Madrid after an emotional exit from Chelsea after 11 years of service was confirmed on Thursday.

The topic of who Mauricio Pochettino is considering as the club’s new captain will be another topic of discussion for this afternoon’s maiden press conference.

Thiago Silva seems the obvious option of course, though he could have rivals for the armband.

Mauricio Pochettino due up very soon

14:22 , George Flood

10-minute klaxon!

Not long to wait now until Mauricio Pochettino conducts his first official press conference as Chelsea’s new manager.

Stay tuned for live updates from Stamford Bridge, with Standard Sport’s chief football correspondent Dan Kilpatrick and Chelsea reporter Nizaar Kinsella both in attendance this afternoon.

Chelsea transfer update

14:13 , George Flood

So what exactly is the latest on the Chelsea transfer front?

We’ve already seen deals sealed for Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson from RB Leipzig and Villarreal respectively over recent weeks, with a raft of exits led by the likes of Mason Mount, Kai Havertz and Mateo Kovacic.

Nizaar Kinsella reported earlier today that talks are ongoing with Brighton over Moises Caicedo, though the Seagulls are now believed to be demanding an eye-watering fee of £100m for the Ecuador international as they take their lead from West Ham’s imminent sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal.

Chelsea have also sounded out Celta Vigo starlet Gabri Veiga and Southampton’s Romeo Lavia over potential moves, while Christian Pulisic is in advanced talks with AC Milan.

Cucurella to fight for Chelsea future under Pochettino

13:54 , George Flood

While several high-profile players have already departed Chelsea this summer, one hoping to stick around is Marc Cucurella.

The Spanish left-back endured a torrid first season at Stamford Bridge after his big-money £62m switch from Potter’s Brighton last summer, being heavily criticised for his performances and even booed by his own fans.

But Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella reported earlier today that Cucurella has actively discouraged transfer interest, despite Atletico Madrid being keen on a move and Chelsea also seeking potential buyers in Saudi Arabia.

He wants to stay and fight for his future under Pochettino, with Newcastle not a serious contender for his signature as things stand.

Read the article in full here

Bruno Saltor staying at Chelsea under Pochettino

13:39 , George Flood

Bruno Saltor was one of the four head coaches to take charge of Chelsea last season, managing very briefly in a temporary capacity after the sacking of Graham Potter - who had brought the Spaniard with him from Brighton - and before the return of Stamford Bridge legend Frank Lampard.

Bruno is staying on with the Blues under Pochettino, along with fellow Potter coach Ben Roberts, who has been moved into a new role overseeing goalkeeper development at Chelsea and new partner club Strasbourg in France.

Bjorn Hamberg has now followed another Potter assistant Billy Reid in leaving the club, with Pochettino joined back in London by a familiar staff including influential assistant Jesus Perez, first-team coach Miguel D’Agostino, goalkeeping coach Toni Jimenez and his son Sebastiano, who is a fitness coach.

Pochettino’s press conference agenda

13:24 , George Flood

So what exactly will be on the agenda for Mauricio Pochettino’s opening press conference at Stamford Bridge this afternoon?

Expect the Argentine to continue outlining his vision for the club’s future and their recovery after a dreadful first season under the Todd Boehly/Clearlake ownership group that involved four different managers and a worst Premier League finish since 1994 (12th).

Chelsea’s ongoing transfer business and major squad overhaul is also sure to be discussed, as well as this week’s £60million departure of Mason Mount to Manchester United and the make-up of Pochettino’s backroom staff... more on that to come in a moment.

Pochettino succeeds where Potter failed in assured start

13:11 , George Flood

Mauricio Pochettino hit all the right notes on his first day in the Chelsea job this week, writes Nizaar Kinsella.

He immediately got fans onside on Monday when he called Chelsea "the greatest team in England" and said he understands "the culture of the club is to win".

While you would expect that rhetoric during an in-house media interview, Pochettino also used language that Chelsea fans expect to hear from their manager.

The 51-year-old Argentine said he wants his players to be "animals" who "fight for the badge" and "die for the club".

His first interview at Chelsea will no doubt further upset Tottenham supporters, but it was just what Chelsea fans wanted to hear.

Read the full article here

How to watch Pochettino’s first Chelsea press conference

13:05 , George Flood

TV channel and live stream: Today’s Mauricio Pochettino press conference at Stamford Bridge will be shown live and for free across Chelsea’s digital channels.

Welcome to Pochettino’s first Chelsea press conference LIVE!

12:56 , George Flood

Good afternoon and welcome to the Evening Standard’s live coverage of Mauricio Pochettino’s first official press conference as Chelsea manager.

The former Tottenham boss is set to face a range of questions from the media at Stamford Bridge from 2:30pm BST today as he continues to outline his vision for the club after completing his first few days on the job at Cobham and earning widespread praise for his typically confident, emotive and charismatic first interview with club channels broadcast earlier this week.

Stay tuned for live news, updates and quotes from the press call, with Standard Sport’s Dan Kilpatrick and Nizaar Kinsella both in attendance in west London.