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Chelsea boss Pochettino delays holidays ahead of crunch end-of-season review

18 May 2024 , 21:30
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Mauricio Pochettino is awaiting clarity on his Chelsea future (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Mauricio Pochettino is awaiting clarity on his Chelsea future (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Mauricio Pochettino won't book his summer holidays until his Chelsea future is resolved.

The Argentine boss plans to visit his homeland and Barcelona before the start of the new season but first, he wants to know if he'll be staying put in west London.

Pochettino, who will be in the dugout at Stamford Bridge for Soccer Aid on June 9, said ahead of Chelsea's final Premier League match of the season against Bournemouth : "Still now, I haven't confirmed my holidays."

When quizzed for clarity on the delay, the 52-year-old continued: "Because there are too many things that I need to deal with. You are all welcome to the match at Stamford Bridge, Soccer Aid, it's going to be amazing there.

"I also have different compromises to deal with but I didn't plan any so far. The plan is to go to Argentina, I need to see my parents after five years. I also need to go and see my son near Barcelona in Terragona, there are too many aspects where I will be busy, so no real holidays."

Pochettino also revealed he plans to sit down with sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart early next week to discuss the club's summer transfer strategy.

That would imply he expects to remain in west London, while he also stated Chelsea are due to assess the futures of all of their loanees including promising talent Omari Hutchinson following a stunning, promotion-winning spell with Ipswich Town.

During his time at Tottenham, Pochettino previously holidayed with Daniel Levy and a small collection of his backroom staff in Argentina during the off-season. The venture included a team-bonding rafting exercise on the Manso River in which Levy was thrown from the boat and into the water.

And when asked whether Pochettino would be prepared to embark on a similar trip with the Chelsea hierarchy to strengthen relations, the 52-year-old made it clear that his relationship with Levy was unique.

He explained: "I don't know, they're always welcome, aren't they Jesus [Perez]! but no, that was amazing. It was one of the best places in the world, it was an amazing week that I spent with people all together.

Chelsea boss Pochettino delays holidays ahead of crunch end-of-season review eiqeuiuhiquzprwMauricio Pochettino's Chelsea future will be decided at the end of the season (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)


"This type of experience will maybe never happen again in your life, to have the possibility to live this experience, I will always be very, very grateful, not only because he gave us the possibility to be in Tottenham after Southampton and the possibility to spend nearly six amazing years, nearly winning the Champions League or the Premier League, also because of this type of things that are important on the human and professional side. They're really special to us. They're welcome and if they want an invite, no problem for us."

Chelsea can still finish fifth if they beat the Cherries and Tottenham lose at rock-bottom Sheffield United. Just one point will be enough to secure Europa League qualification as Chelsea also prepare to bid an emotional farewell to veteran defender Thiago Silva.

Mykhailo Mudryk will miss the game due to concussion protocols while Christopher Nkunku is in contention to start after his goal at Brighton.

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Ryan Taylor

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