Mauricio Pochettino wanted to sign three players to strengthen key positions in the transfer window but ended up with NONE, reveals Sami Mokbel on It’s All Kicking Off

Mauricio Pochettino wanted three players in the January transfer window but failed to bring in any of them, Sami Mokbel has revealed on It’s All Kicking Off.

The Blues showed on Wednesday that they are still some way off the top teams in the Premier League, losing 4-1 to Liverpool at Anfield as they clung onto their place in the top half of the table ahead of Wolves‘ game against Manchester United.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino has found it tough going since joining the club in the summer, struggling to get the best out of his £1billion squad amid Todd Boehly‘s mass spending spree since taking the club over in 2022.

Mokbel, meanwhile, has revealed that the Argentine had his sights set on strengthening three positions in the January window, though Chelsea – who agreed to loan Armando Broja to Fulham on deadline day – failed to bring in a single player in the month.

Speaking on the Deadline Day special of It’s All Kicking Off, Mokbel revealed Pochettino’s desires and they key areas he identified that needed strengthening in his squad.

Chelsea have had a difficult season under the Argentinian and lost 4-1 to Liverpool on Wednesday evening

Pochettino wanted to sign a goalkeeper, a left back and a forward to help his side in January, Mokbel revealed

‘They’re in a state of flux,’ Mokbel began when asked by Ian Ladyman what the situation around the club was on deadline day. ‘Mauricio Pochettino came in there in the summer, didn’t have any say, or very little say, with regards to recruitment and who they were signing.

‘I think we’ve seen evidence of of that in his team selections. He’s chopped and changed a lot, and he’s tried different things just because he’s simply not happy with the squad that he’s got. That probably isn’t the right expression, the squad that he has doesn’t fit the mold of the team that he wants to be. 

‘He went into January, hoping that he would have some rope to work with with regards to bringing in players that that he wanted. 

‘It’s important to stress for Mauricio Pochettino, he simply isn’t the kind of manager who will go into the boardroom and start waving his arms around and demanding X player, X player, and X player. He will make recommendations, he will make strong recommendations, but he effectively isn’t one to throw his toys out of the pram.

Levi Colwill (right) has featured at left back for much of the season but is currently out injured

Djordje Petrovic (pictured) has impressed deputising for Robert Sanchez amid the Spaniard’s recent injury

‘He went into this January wanting left back, potentially a goalkeeper, but definitely a centre forward. We are now, what, 12 hours or whatever it is away from the deadline – he’s not got any of those. 

‘Last night at Anfield wasn’t pleasant viewing and they have spent a lot of money and there are good players there. I do have some sympathy with with with Pochettino because in terms of recruitment, he’s just not been able to influence that squad and that team in the way he he feels it needs influencing.’

Pochettino has chopped and changed his defensive options, often employing centre back Levi Colwill as a left back with Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella out injured.

Against Liverpool, Chilwell started at left back but had a difficult night before being taken off at half time, with Pochettino having playing him further forward earlier in the season, seemingly reluctant to field him in defence.

Regarding a goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez is out with a long-term injury, while Djordje Petrovic has impressed as an understudy since the Spaniard’s knock.

Armando Broja, meanwhile, has struggled for form this season and has been the subject of bids from other sides

Chelsea have long been searching for a forward to help Broja and Nicolas Jackson (centre)

It has, meanwhile, been apparent for a while that the Blues have been looking for a striker to support Nicolas Jackson.

Armando Broja has made 13 appearances in the Premier League this term, but has netted just one goal, and the club have been open to letting him leave this window.

Chelsea are the eighth highest-scorers in the Premier League, but Jackson has managed just eight goals in 23 matches and the club were forced to play Raheem Sterling out of position against Liverpool.

While it is likely they will spend again in the summer, Chelsea will have to see out the rest of the season with the squad they have as they look to salvage something from what has been a tough campaign.