Three things that will 'definitely' happen to Tottenham after Mauricio Pochettino Chelsea exit
Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino lasted just one season at Chelsea, with his exit confirmed in a club statement on Tuesday. Considering the rapid rate at which the Blues get through managers, it is hardly surprising that he has become the latest, but the timing of it all, following seven wins from their last 10 league games, is where the confusion lies.
Just as Pochettino was starting to get a tune out of the squad, with Europa League football secured, alongside Spurs, if Manchester United don't win the FA Cup, parting ways with him is baffling. It's fair to say that Chelsea were poor for large parts of the season, but any manager needs time, and the improvement in form towards the latter stage of the season was clear evidence of exactly that.
On their way to finishing sixth, Chelsea beat both Tottenham and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge while also taking points off Aston Villa. In league action, they were also undefeated against Manchester City while also playing out draws with Liverpool and Arsenal on home soil.
That late-season form saw them finish just three points away from Spurs after being 14 behind them with just eight games to play. Ange Postecoglou endured a very different first season compared to Pochettino, with his start an extremely successful one and the final few weeks very challenging.
Nonetheless, Spurs head into the summer transfer window and 2024/25 campaign full of belief and confidence, something that cannot currently be said for Chelsea. In fact, the departure of Pochettino could have major ramifications for Spurs, with the majority of those being positive.
Here, football.london takes a look at the things that will 'definitely' happen to Tottenham now that Pochettino has left Chelsea.
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Gallagher transfer battle
Tottenham have been linked with a move for Conor Gallagher over the last few trading periods, and the one clear stumbling block was always Pochettino.
"I am not involved. I do not know nothing." Pochettino spoke of Gallagher's future earlier this month. When asked about his importance, the ex-Chelsea boss said: "You can see. My starting XI, the whole season, he has always been there; in all of the circumstances, he is always there. I am not involved in the decision. It is a situation they need to fix between the club and the player."
It is very clear through both his words and actions that Pochettino was fond of Gallagher, while with every good performance, the club's hierarchy saw his price tag increase. As a homegrown player, any funds acquired for his departure would count as pure profit on the books and give Chelsea a big FFP boost.
As such, it seems inevitable that he will now be sold to Tottenham, right at the front of the line, but Aston Villa have also joined them in the race. Gallagher's contract expires next summer, and thus him being sold, especially now that Pochettino has left, seems inevitable, with Spurs hoping to benefit.
Back to square one
Regardless of the manager Chelsea appoints, the whole building process will have to start again. As Pochettino appeared to have built strong relationships with his players, there is a worry of some squad unrest, which Spurs could use to their advantage.
The Blues have some great players in their ranks, but getting them to gel again under a new set of ideologies, likely along with another significant summer splurge for numerous new signings, will be quite the challenge. Meanwhile, across the capital, Spurs already quite clearly have a system in place for the summer, backed by their strong financial position.
Liverpool losing Jurgen Klopp could also have a major effect, regardless of the impact Arne Slot makes in his first season at Anfield. The 2024/25 season could be a huge one for Spurs, with the hope that Champions League football and trophies can be secured if the right moves are made with a number of clubs, including Chelsea, in a rebuilding phase.
Transfer domino effect
Chelsea are looking at several names to replace Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge. Among those of interest are Kieran McKenna, Thomas Frank, Enzo Maresca and Sebastian Hoeness. It is possible that any of those arriving has a transfer impact on Tottenham.
Those four names managed Ipswich Town, Brentford, Leicester City and Stuttgart, respectively, last season, and Spurs have been interested in signing players from some of those clubs. Ivan Toney is undoubtedly an attacking option, while the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Serhou Guirassy are available at potential cut-price fees.
However, Frank going to Chelsea could see Toney join him, with the 28-year-old full of belief he needs to make a step up. Guirassy, meanwhile, given the £15million release clause, could join Hoeness if Chelsea decided to take a gamble.
Either way, regardless of who is appointed, transfer plans are likely to change, and those could have an impact on the players Spurs sign this summer.
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