Mauricio Pochettino has demanded the signing of David Raya and Ivan Toney as he looks all set to take charge of Chelsea starting next season.
According to TNT Sports Argentina via Fichajes, Mauricio Pochettino wants Chelsea to acquire the services of David Raya and Ivan Toney ahead of next season. The Argentine manager has a verbal agreement with the club to take over as their new manager ahead of next season. However, it seems he has demanded the signing of the Brentford duo in the upcoming transfer window.
The Blues have spent a fortune on acquiring new players over the past few transfer windows. Despite bringing in some of the best young talents from across Europe, the club have failed to produce results on the pitch.
Chelsea wanted to stick with Graham Potter as their manager. However, they saw no improvement under him and decided to part ways. They have handed over the reins of the club to former manager Frank Lampard for the remainder of the season.
But, the results haven’t improved yet. However, it seems their search for a new manager has ended as Pochettino is all set to take charge starting next season. The Argentine manager wants the Blues to sign David Raya and Ivan Toney.
Chelsea have struggled in two key areas in the ongoing season. They have failed to score goals at times and their goalkeepers haven’t been consistent enough. And, Pochettino wants reinforcement in those areas as he looks to take over from Lampard.
Raya and Toney have done wonders for Brentford in the ongoing season. The 27-year-old shot-stopper has been involved in 33 Premier League matches so far and has managed to keep a clean sheet on ten occasions. Raya’s contract ends in the summer of 2024 and the Bees might be forced to sell him in the summer. They might not risk losing out on him for free the following summer.
Meanwhile, Toney has racked up 19 goals in the league. He is only behind Erling Haaland and Harry Kane in the race for the Premier League golden boot. The 27-year-old striker is on the radar of numerous clubs because of his exceptional form in front of goal.
While Toney’s contract with Brentford runs until the summer of 2025, the amount of interest in him suggests that he will be on the move in the summer. The Argentine manager wants Chelsea to sign a world-class forward as well as a goalkeeper. He believes they need a goal-scoring threat to compete with other top clubs.
And, as far as the shot-stoppers are concerned, Pochettino doesn’t trust Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy. The duo have been inconsistent and he doesn’t want to bank on them. With the 51-year-old all set to take charge of the Blues, it will be interesting to see if the club manages to fulfil his demand of signing the Brentford duo.
