Mauricio Pochettino schedules crunch talks with Chelsea hierarchy over changing transfer policy

Mauricio Pochettino says Chelsea can keep spending cash on young players – providing they also add some experience to their ranks.

The Argentine boss plans to sit down with the Stamford Bridge hierarchy in the coming weeks to discuss the club’s summer transfer policy. It comes after Pochettino criticised his “immature” squad for their recent late collapse in the 2-2 draw at Sheffield United.

Pochettino, who could be without 11 senior stars tonight against Everton due to injuries and illness, explained: “We need to bring more young players, we need to bring in some experienced players. But that is all about talking.

“It’s about agreeing with the club, analysing and designing the strategy for the next season and to go and fight for big things. That is really important.

“It’s like we need to assess all the bodies. We need to assess why players were injured, the risk to suffer injuries in the future and the history of injuries within the club.”

Pochettino also confessed that he must be “careful with his words” following his cut-throat assessment of his fresh-faced squad, declaring he cannot underestimate the impact injuries have had upon the development of his squad.

In his words, absentees have prevented fit players from flourishing as there has been a lack of synergy within his ranks. He continued: “For different reasons, I say this is an immature team because all the elements are not there to be more mature, to learn and evolve.

“But there are different circumstances that we are living [injuries] but I don’t want to talk about it because it’s like an excuse, excuse, excuse.

“No, it’s not an excuse. That is the reality. It’s a fact. That is part of the process. And of course, that this season is going to help us.”

Mauricio Pochettino

The Blues could be without a host of their experienced pros against the Toffees as Enzo Fernandez and Axel Disasi are facing late fitness tests.

Raheem Sterling also called in sick on Friday and has been nursing a separate back issue. Ben Chilwell has been missing since the international break when he sustained a knee injury in England’s 2-2 draw with Belgium.

Chelsea are now facing a dogfight to secure European qualification but Pochettino has offered assurances he would remain fully committed to the project even if the Blues fall short.

When asked if he would be happy to continue if Chelsea do not achieve the objective, the former Spurs boss replied: “Of course, because when I arrived here, we already know that we are not going to compete in Europe.

“And I said the project and I said the idea to come here and to build, you know, a squad to be competitive and to try to reach this level. So yes, that is no problem for me.”

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