Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that he does not want any more than 25 players in his Chelsea squad for the 2023-24 campaign.
When the Argentine agreed to become the new head coach, he was faced with a group of more than 30 players, as well as prospects returning from loan spells that could break into the senior setup.
As it stands, the squad has been reduced by 13 players, with permanent new homes being found for 10 of those players, a loan spell at Union Berlin being secured for David Datro Fofana and each of Denis Zakaria and Joao Felix returning to their parent clubs.
Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson have been signed to boost the club's numbers in the final third, but Pochettino has reiterated on more than one occasion that he wants to add further fresh faces in other areas of the pitch.
A 29-player squad was selected for the club's pre-season tour of the United States, that number being boosted to 30 by the arrival of Reece James after a minor injury and illness.
© Reuters
A team featuring both senior players and youngsters thrashed Wrexham by a 5-0 scoreline earlier this week, with a showdown with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday night representing the second of five games across the pond.
Ahead of the meeting with the Seagulls, Pochettino has been speaking with the media, publicly revealing the number of players that he would like to have at his disposal.
Pochettino told reporters, as quoted by football.london: "Maybe we do need, even if we do well in the competition, we need 23, 24 players. Max 25, keepers included. Less than 25 is better. We need be right and need to be able to choose the player and profile. The balance is important.
"Sometimes you get the balance with less. It's not that you can't manage the players, it's that they can't play. Where are they going to get the motivation to play and to train if they are not involved? It's not going to be easy for them and not fair and we can't ask them to be happy every day.
© Reuters
"We cannot blame the players. We need to be clear and to be strong in our decision and be right in the numbers of players if we think there can be injuries or suspended but not so big."
Ian Maatsen, who spent last season on loan at Burnley, scored twice during the victory over Wrexham and has admitted that he wants to try to prove himself in Pochettino's squad rather than move elsewhere this summer.
Meanwhile, a report has indicated that young Brazilian Andrey Santos has made a positive impression on Pochettino and could be kept as an option in midfield.
The match with Brighton comes at a time when Chelsea are attempting to sign their midfielder Moises Caicedo, who has publicly revealed that he would not be able to say no to a transfer to the West Londoners.
Darren Plant
