Mauricio Pochettino reveals transfer decision he made at Chelsea

Mauricio Pochettino has admitted that he only signed off on two summer transfers after becoming Chelsea manager.

It’s been two-years plus since Mauricio Pochettino left his role as Chelsea manager, but the London club are still finding the right path in terms of players acquisition and managerial signing.

Pochettino joined the Blues in July 2023, taking over from interim boss Frank Lampard, but left at the end of the season amid tensions between himself and the ownership.

The managerial drama has continued at Stamford Bridge with Enzo Maresca allowed to leave despite his impressive record, and his replacement, Liam Rosenoir sacked four months after he was appointed.

Pochetinno has now revealed he only signed off on two summer transfers during his spell at Stamford Bridge. During that summer, Chelsea made 14 first-team signings, bringing in the likes of Nicolas Jackson, Moises Caicedo and Cole Palmer.

Cole Palmer embraces Mauricio Pochettino during a Premier League match. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Reflecting on his time in charge at Stamford Bridge, Pochettino admitted that a lot of the signings made during his first summer at the helm were agreed before he took the reins.

Speaking to the Stick to Football podcast on The Overlap, Pochettino said: “Being fair, I support[ed] all the business when we arrive[d].

“When we signed, it was already done, all the business. I was only involved when we signed Disasi because [Wesley] Fofana was injured in pre-season and Cole Palmer.

“It is more about a philosophical idea. The coach or the coaching staff need to be involved in all these types of decisions. Because if not, it is not easy.

“I don’t want to say things that are so obvious, but Manchester City is working because Pep [Guardiola] is involved in all the [decisions]

“(For players) to perform, they need to be attached to the coach. If not, it is difficult. The player needs to play for the club after playing for the coaches.

A big part of BlueCo’s strategy since taking ownership of Chelsea in May 2022 has been utilising data to sign young players to long-term contracts.

Pochettino noted that the club’s emphasis on data has blindsided them in their attempts to build a team that can consistently compete for major honours.

“There are things that you cannot measure with data or with science. It is still a game that keeps some mystery that you cannot identify,” the former Tottenham boss continued.

“It is not only data. Shoot many times, run or no run, or the throw-ins. There are things that you cannot measure through science or numbers.”