Transfer Centre

Mauricio Pochettino "open" to further striker signings at Chelsea

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 31 July 2023

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino insists that he is open to further striker signings, despite the impressive pre-season form of Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku.

Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has affirmed that he would be "open" to more attacking reinforcements arriving in West London in the coming weeks.

The Blues have splashed out a combined £84m on the double capture of Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku, both of whom have hit the ground running in pre-season.

Nkunku has netted in all three of Chelsea's friendly wins over Brighton & Hove Albion, Wrexham and Fulham, while Jackson has two strikes against the Seagulls and Newcastle United.

Chelsea won the Premier League Summer Series thanks to the pair's efforts, and they have since been expected to prioritise additions to their defence and depleted midfield.

However, speaking to the press after Sunday's 2-0 triumph over Fulham, Pochettino insisted that he would not be against further striker signings amid links with Montpellier HSC's Elye Wahi.

Ian Maatsen and Nicolas Jackson combine for Chelsea against Wrexham on July 19, 2023. © Reuters

"We are working hard to try to create this dynamic that will become natural and to share time together," Pochettino replied when asked about the relationship between Jackson and Nkunku.

"I think the two help to know each other. It is good that they feel well, that they feel already part of the team and the group and they share a lot of time together.

"It is important because you need to start the Premier League in a good condition knowing each other and try to fight for each other to create a real team that is prepared to go and face opponents like Liverpool, Man City and different teams like this.

"Today I think we are happy with the performance and they can complement each other really well. Yes, of course, maybe we can add some different profile or different player who can help us, of course we are open.

"I am so happy with both and we have younger players like Mason [Burstow] today and [Armando] Broja in the UK recovering from his procedure. We need to analyse now in the next weeks until the transfer window closes. We will take the best decision for the team."

Montpellier HSC striker Elye Wahi pictured in October 2022 © Reuters

Chelsea have already let Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kai Havertz seek pastures new this summer, and Juventus-linked striker Romelu Lukaku is set to follow the duo out of the door.

The Blues are said to have failed with an opening £24m bid for Montpellier striker Wahi, though, and the Frenchman may be loaned out to sister club Strasbourg for the 2023-24 season if an agreement is eventually reached.

The same can be said for Rennes' 19-year-old midfield protege Lesley Ugochukwu, who is understood to be closing in on a £23.2m move to Chelsea, but Pochettino has hinted that he will join Patrick Vieira's Strasbourg for the upcoming season.

Further back, the Blues have reportedly agreed a deal in principle worth £38.5m for Monaco centre-back Axel Disasi, having sought cover for Wesley Fofana as he recovers from an ACL operation.

Wingers Diego Moreira and Angelo Gabriel have also touched down at Chelsea, who take on Borussia Dortmund in Chicago on Wednesday for their final pre-season contest.