Chelsea are reportedly interested in appointing Mauricio Pochettino as their successor to the struggling Graham Potter and the Argentine manager could help Reece James achieve his potential at Stamford Bridge.
Could Mauricio Pochettino replace Graham Potter at Chelsea?
According to 90min, Chelsea have already made an approach to the former Tottenham Hotspur and PSG boss, although a move doesn’t look to be on the cards at the moment, as Pochettino remains unconvinced by a move to Stamford Bridge, and has reportedly turned down the Blues’ offer.
While Todd Boehly is said to still be behind Potter, the west London side look extremely unlikely to secure a spot in next season’s Champions League on current form, with last weekend’s embarrassing home defeat by Southampton the latest disastrous result for the former Brighton boss.
Pochettino is said to be keen on a return to management and while Chelsea might not tick all the boxes for him right now, a move at the end of the season might be more appealing for the 50-year-old, when he cannot be judged for the Blues’ failures so far this term.
Considering Boehly has forefronted an investment of over £600m since Potter’s arrival, it will surely not be long until the Englishman’s woeful run of form costs him his job at Stamford Bridge, although if he were to arrive as his replacement, Pochettino might be most excited about the prospect of working with one of Chelsea’s academy graduates, in Reece James.
Could Reece James become the “best in the world” under Pochettino?
James has endured a difficult time with injuries of late but has shown in previous appearances that he can easily be considered one of the best right-backs in the league when fit.
Last season saw the former Wigan loanee register a phenomenal five goals and nine assists in just 26 Premier League appearances, averaging a superb 7.24 rating from WhoScored for his performances.
At just 23, there seems no reason why the England international can’t go on to become renowned as one of the top performers at right-back, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang already dubbing him the “best in the world” in his position earlier in the season.
Under Pochettino, James would arguably only get better. The Argentine has helped to develop two of the best right-backs in the Premier League in Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier, with both Englishman featuring in more than 90 games under the former Southampton boss at Spurs.
Achraf Hakimi would also notch four goals and six assists in just 41 appearances under Pochettino at PSG, so he clearly has an eye for an attacking right-back, and James could really prosper under his management.
Therefore, while the focus has been on expensive new signings, appointing Pochettino as Potter’s successor could see one of Chelsea’s best academy graduates really push on to the top of his game at Stamford Bridge.