Mauricio Pochettino reportedly had doubts over big-money midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo during his time at the club.
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Fernandez and Caicedo signed for huge fees
Pochettino had doubts over both players
Preferred Conor Gallagher to duo
WHAT HAPPENED?
Chelsea have invested heavily in players under Todd Boehly and Co., notably splashing out more than £100 million ($127m) each on Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo. However, Pochettino had doubts over the two midfielders while at Chelsea despite their massive transfer fees, according to The Athletic. The Argentine had question marks over whether Fernadez was "destructive" enough to play as a No.6 or had enough creativity to play further forward. Pochettino also felt Caicedo lacked "positional discipline" and felt both players did not have the "size and power" required to thrive in the English top flight.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
The report adds that Pochettino's favourite midfielder was actually academy graduate Conor Gallagher, who regularly captained the side last season in the absence of Reece James and Ben Chilwell. The Blues are believed to be willing to sell the 24-year-old this summer due to concerns over meeting Profit and Sustainability Rules.