Mauricio Pochettino names the only two Chelsea transfers that he approved

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Evening Standard

·30 avril 2026

Mauricio Pochettino names the only two Chelsea transfers that he approved

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

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

During the summer in which Pochettino arrived in west London, Chelsea made 14 first-team signings, bringing in the likes of Nicolas Jackson, Moises Caicedo and Cole Palmer.

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.

Dream team: Cole Palmer and Mauricio Pochettino

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“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.

It is a model that has drawn criticism, with the west Londoners now looking for their fifth permanent managerial appointment in four years after Liam Rosenior was sacked.

Pochettino, who decided to leave Chelsea after just one season, says 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.”