Emile Smith Rowe in, Romelu Lukaku out? Mauricio Pochettino delivers Chelsea transfer update ahead of deadline day

The Blues have taken in another busy window, with the club’s Todd Boehly-led board continuing to make big money available. On the back of spending £600 million ($755m) last season, Chelsea have splashed out on the likes of Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Axel Disasi, Robert Sanchez, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia this summer.

They are still being linked with Arsenal No.10 Smith Rowe and Lyon playmaker Rayan Cherki, with Pochettino saying when quizzed on whether further additions are in the pipeline: “I don't know. To be honest in the last few days, we have been so focused on trying to recover the players. I know very well that the club is working very hard to try and finish our business with still a few days so I think that will happen. At the moment, we are working to try and deliver what we want but there is nothing to communicate at the moment.”

There is also talk of players heading out of Stamford Bridge – with Lukaku and Callum Hudson-Odoi seemingly being lined up for moves elsewhere – and Pochettino said when asked if he expects more departures than arrivals: “I am not involved in those situations. I am focused on the team. The club is working with the player but in that case, I am not involved in that situation. Nothing has changed at the moment, no one has communicated that this situation has finished and for sure, when something will be done, the club will communicate to you, but nothing at the moment.”

Chelsea, who have taken four points from three Premier League games in 2023-24, will be back in action on Wednesday when facing AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup second round. The latest transfer window will then slam shut on Friday.