Pochettino: 'Who doesn't like can leave Chelsea'

"Chelsea currently have 29 players. That's too many," Pochettino told Daily Mail on July 27. "The team needs stability, which players to start and which players can compete. Building a good relationship and creating balance in the squad is important and challenging for us. this summer".

Chelsea have allowed 12 players to leave this summer, including Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Christian Pulisic, Edouard Mendy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ethan Ampadu, N'Golo Kante, Cesar Azpilicueta, Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang and Baba Rahman.

However, due to over-shopping in recent transfer windows, Chelsea's squad is still larger than usual, leading to many players not being guaranteed game time next season. According to Pochettino, this situation can create problems if the club does not deal with it aggressively.

"If the players are not happy because they believe they are not being given the opportunity to play, we will find a solution with the club and solve it. Chelsea cannot keep a big squad like this. The players do not integrate and "Everything will be chaotic. Sometimes less quality is needed. So I need to be clear, we don't need a big squad," said the Argentinian coach.

Pochettino said his ideal squad would be between 22 and 24 players, with a few young players in the reserve team. The 51-year-old coach admits he can make tough decisions in some cases, but it is essential for Chelsea to be able to compete for the title.

The former Tottenham manager said: "Chelsea paid me to pick the best 11 players. It's better for anyone who wants to leave to talk to me from now on. Players need to think in terms of 'if not out. the pitch, I wouldn't want to stay' and 'if I stay, I have to commit and accept that it is the manager who decides who gets to play'. into the field".