Former Manchester United and Liverpool striker, Michael Owen, has predicted that Chelsea will have a comfortable run to a top-four finish next season under the guidance of new manager, Mauricio Pochettino. Despite a below-par season that saw them finish in the bottom half of the table, Owen believes that the appointment of Pochettino as head coach will put Chelsea back in contention for Champions League places. Speaking in an interview with Premier League Productions, Owen highlighted that the new manager’s first priority should be to trim the squad and focus on a smaller pool of quality players.
According to Owen, “The most important thing at that club is to get rid of players. You can never, ever have a squad of that quality and have harmony… I think the main thing now is to get rid of half a dozen players, focus on a smaller pool, and I think they will do alright next season.”
Chelsea’s current squad features a blend of young and experienced players. Yet, despite their promise, they have largely struggled to deliver consistent performances during the 2022-23 campaign. Key players like Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, and Hakim Ziyech have failed to live up to expectations, while the veteran players are yet to hit top form on a consistent basis.
With Pochettino, Chelsea hopes to turn their fortunes around and regain their place among the elite clubs of English football. The former Tottenham Hotspur coach is renowned for his tactical prowess and man-management skills, which will be key in helping the Blues rediscover their form.
While it is unclear what changes the Argentine coach has in mind for Chelsea, it is expected that he will bring in fresh talent and build a team around key players like N’Golo Kanté, Mason Mount, and Reece James.
Overall, Owen’s prediction is positive news for Chelsea supporters, who will be hoping for a better campaign next season and a return to the top echelons of the Premier League.
