football.london looks at the talking points to emerge from Chelsea’s win over Luton Town, as Mauricio Pochettino picked up his first Premier League win as Blues boss.
The next shift will be obvious
Mauricio Pochettino has made it clear that the final seven days of the transfer window will see the Blues try and sign a forward player and a goalkeeper. The 51-year-old coach was excited at his press conference but it doesn’t look like he will have to wait long to back up the goal.
The west London side are set to sign Djordge Petrovic from the New England Revolution in a deal worth £14million, and the Serbian goalkeeper was at Stamford Bridge on Friday night. Taking over the game from the stands, the 23-year-old star then headed to the Chelsea dressing room alongside Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali, Reece James and Romeo Lavia.
Clearly, an announcement should not be far away.
READ MORE: Every word Mauricio Pochettino says on Raheem Sterling, transfers, Nicolas Jackson and Liverpool
That will leave Pochettino hoping for a further addition to his squad and after his side’s win over Luton, he detailed the profile he hopes the club will be in. The Blues boss doesn’t want an out-and-out No. 9 with Nicolas Jackson and Armando Broja to choose from, and instead preferred someone capable of playing forward positions.
Raheem Sterling
What is there to say? Raheem Sterling has arrived at Chelsea. Thomas Tuchel has made it clear to the former Man City and Liverpool winger that he wants him to be at the heart of West London’s forward play and this season, Sterling has shown why.
The 28-year-old was Chelsea’s top scorer last season, but has quickly shown the form he has managed in the last two games. Sterling’s pre-season impact doesn’t even reflect the start to the season he’s enjoyed.
It appears that conversation after the opening day of the season paid dividends for Sterling and Pochettino.
The Chelsea star said following his brace: “Like I said in the first game against Liverpool, I felt like I was inside the pocket and that’s how I felt last season that I’m deeper and I’m going to play in ball. We had a simple conversation and he said: ‘Raheem, it doesn’t matter where you play, if you use it and you’re dynamic and aggressive, then nothing can stop you, it doesn’t matter. if you’re on the left, right or center – just be aggressive on the ball’. I have that desire and hunger to do that.”
Pochettino was quick to point out Sterling’s actions that contradicted his position, and the winger, like Reece James against Liverpool, showed a good relationship with Malo Gusto on the right. Pochettino allowed Chelsea to get the best out of Sterling, and Ben Chilwell’s advanced position – occupying the opposition – ensured an outlet on the right was always available.
On current form, Sterling has shown he can do it himself. Interesting stuff.
Still studying
While Chelsea got their first win of the season, it wasn’t a complete 90-minute performance from the Blues, with the home side suffering a break in the middle stages. However, there were many positive elements to the evening.
It is clear that the Blues are still learning what is expected of them, and individuals are still learning how to best interact with their teammates on the pitch. It is common for Pochettino to pull his players to one, to the side for the players to communicate the stops, see how to best exploit the opposition or explain their preferences on the field.
From Pochettino trying to persuade his team to move the game more quickly from one side to the other by raising his arms in the air, and his confusion when that pass does not come, to his talks with Sterling despite the veteran’s form, and his conversations with Chelsea’s entire left side at a standstill as he brings Levi Colwill, Enzo Fernandez and Ben Chilwell in for a chat. Sterling can also be seen in dialogue with Axel Disasi and Nicolas Jackson, as the group tries to learn each other’s game.
Pochettino may have been left stunned at moments but there is more to come from this Chelsea side.
The depth of Chelsea’s squad
While Chelsea are not short of signings this summer, and only more players are likely to be added, with difficult decisions to be made on some departures as well before the window closes. There was a feeling on Friday night that the Blues would be short.
Pochettino named two goalkeepers as his replacements, while the likes of Diego Moreira, who has been with the development squad so far this season, was also named on the bench. The nine injuries have had a huge impact, and there will be pressure on Pochettino’s players to deliver until their teammates return.
That could leave the Blues boss short of options to provide extra rotation against Wimbledon, other than handing minutes to those confined to the dugout for most of Chelsea’s opening games. Add to that Chelsea’s under-21 side facing MK Dons on Tuesday night and half a game in Premier League 2 on Friday, it may be difficult to test more academy prospects in the first team as as expected by many.