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The Mauricio Pochettino era is underway and Chelsea’s chaotic summer is set to commence.

The underperforming and bloated squad must be trimmed, but the arrivals are just as important as the former Tottenham Hotspur coach will need to pinpoint the right blend of experience and youth.

CBS reporter Ben Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT that the Argentine has emphasised the importance of signing “Premier League proven quality” players at Stamford Bridge to try and reverse the club’s dismal slump into midtable mediocrity.

One player who fits this profile and has been recently linked with Chelsea is Wilfried Zaha, whose reputation and pedigree could massively benefit Pochettino.

What’s the latest on Wilfried Zaha to Chelsea?

According to football.london, the Blues and Arsenal are keeping tabs on the uncertain future of the Palace legend.

However, it's said that the respective parties are now in a battle to sign him, amid interest in his services from Atletico Madrid, per the Daily Mail.

The 30-year-old’s contract is due to expire on 30 June, and he’s been offered a new deal of £200k-per-week, an upgrade on his current terms of £130k-per-week. However, he is yet to put pen to paper in what would surely end the dream of ever playing Champions League football.

Although the West London outfit isn’t competing in European competitions in the upcoming season, the mind-boggling spending power of the new ownership and the plethora of youth talent available means that the club could forge a new bid to get back into the top six.

Would Zaha be a good fit at Chelsea?

The Ivorian has recorded 111 goal contributions in 305 Premier League appearances across his career and has established himself as a formidable asset of a consistently mid-table league outfit, who looks destined to make the step-up in his career.

The forward is a player brimming with effervescence and quality, showcased by the fact that he ranks in the top 13% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 and the highest 20% for successful take-ons per 90, according to FBref.

The 2021 Champions League winners have desperately lacked quality from wide areas this term and under Pochettino’s stewardship, the Eagles star could emerge as the 51-year-old’s next Son Heung-min.

Between 2016 and 2018, with Pochettino at the helm, the South Korean sensation notched 41 goal involvements in 71 outings – he was relentlessly efficient, tricky, and pacey – deploying the same wing play that Zaha uses to terrorise defenders.

This season, Zaha has averaged two dribbles per game, and last year, when Son finished as the division’s top scorer, he managed 1.9 dribbles per game, as both players possess a ruthless directness.

These figures are definitely something that the former Manchester United starlet could replicate, especially with Ben Chilwell consistently overlapping on the attack.

Hailed as “outstanding” by Ally McCoist and given the strategy that Pochettino is aiming to implement, Zaha would be a welcome addition to the squad.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been linked to a midfield talent ahead of the summer transfer window in a player with Premier League experience.

Julen Lopetegui will have a number of obstacles to overcome in the break, however, the Spaniard could ease the woes surrounding the expected departure of Ruben Neves in a rumoured loan deal.

The former Real Madrid boss faces the uphill challenge of improving his side while balancing the club’s finances following the emergence of FFP issues.

Seeking quality with lower price tags is essential this summer, with the latest link being easy on the club’s wallet.

What’s the latest on Fabio Carvalho to Wolves?

As reported by transfer expert Ben Jacobs for CaughtOffside, Liverpool youngster Fabio Carvalho is admired by a number of clubs including Wolves.

The report states that Liverpool have no interest in selling the midfielder, however, could see the 20-year-old depart on a loan deal.

The £32k-per-week ace could be a strong talent for Lopetegui to borrow in a beneficial move for both parties, with the Portuguese itching for game time.

What could Fabio Carvalho bring to Wolves?

Playing predominantly as an attacking midfielder in the heart of the pitch, the former Fulham gem worked his way through the Londoners’ academy before signing for Liverpool last summer.

Having made just 13 appearances and four starts this campaign, the “magic” attacker – as dubbed by pundit Jack Collins – could bring a new lease of life to Wolves’ attack.

Neves was Molineux’s top provider in attack this campaign, highlighted by his six goals and a single assist.

However, despite being the shining light in a lacklustre season, the Portuguese midfielder’s numbers are far from mindblowing and amid the pending disappointment of his departure, Lopetegui could replace and upgrade the squad’s creative outlet by capturing Carvalho.

In his final campaign at Fulham, the youngster had 18 goal contributions, scoring ten himself and assisting eight – as per WhoScored – in a year that solidified his status as an academy graduate turned first-team player.

Wolves are lacking inspiration, being the Premier League’s lowest-scorers and are expected to lose a host of attacking talent this summer, so a reshuffle is essential at Molineux this summer.

Carvalho could provide a streak of danger to the clubs’ attack, as highlighted through his numbers over the past year, in a period that has seen the youngster starved of game time.

As per FBref, the attacker averages 0.39 non-penalty goals per 90, ranking him in the top 1% of his position in Europe’s top five leagues, based on his minutes played.

The youngster also excels in being progressive in midfield, as highlighted through his 2.73 progressive carries per 90.

Despite not playing as much football, which can be detrimental to a player’s development, Carvalho has continued to showcase a high level of his quality, particularly in comparison to Neves.

The Wolves captain averages 0.09 non-penalty goals per 90, as well as flagging when carrying the ball making an average of 0.83 of progressive carries per 90 – as per FBref.

A reshuffle in personnel and formation could allow the youngster to blossom and enjoy his football again under the watchful eye of Lopetegui, but only time will tell if Jurgen Klopp will allow the 20-year-old to depart.

West Bromwich Albion are set to target a right-back this summer as manager Steve Bruce wants to offer competition to Darnell Furlong next season, reports the Express & Star (via Birmingham Live).

The Lowdown: The right-back position

Bruce has previously claimed that defender Dara O’Shea can operate well in the right-back position when called upon.

However, it is believed that West Brom view O’Shea’s long-term future at the club as a centre-back.

Therefore, this leaves Albion short on the right-hand side, meaning they would be vulnerable if Furlong were to suffer any form of serious injury over the course of next season, with the defender having been hailed as “exceptional going both ways”.

The Latest: Bruce picks four targets

According to the Express & Star (via Birmingham Live), Bruce is said to be keen on signing an additional right-back this summer as he looks to add depth to the role and to provide Darnell Furlong with competition for the starting role.

With West Brom’s acknowledgement that O’Shea will be utilised as a central defender, this has pushed the Midlands club into dipping into the transfer market for a full-back this summer.

It is reported that former Aston Villa right-back James Bree, who was signed by Bruce at Villa Park, is one option within the free agent market, while Ryan Nyambe of Blackburn Rovers, Derby County’s Nathan Byrne and Moses Odubajo of Queens Park Rangers could also be possible options.

The Verdict: Need cover

Bruce has shared his desire to exploit the free transfer market even more this summer, following the arrival of John Swift and potentially Jed Wallace at The Hawthorns.

With the lack of depth in the defence, it is imperative that the Baggies bring in some cover ahead of next season.

Otherwise, fatigue and injuries could become a real issue for Bruce’s squad after a disappointing campaign this time around.

In other news: Baggies eye up Tom Lawrence signing

Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson has backed Tottenham Hotspur to sign Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin this summer, believing he would be the ‘perfect’ replacement for Steven Bergwijn.

The Lowdown: Spurs interested in Saint-Maximin

The Frenchman first made the switch to the Premier League when he joined the Magpies in an initial £16.5m move from Nice three years ago, where he’s gone on to become a fan favourite at St. James’ Park having made 93 appearances for the northeast outfit to date.

According to the Daily Mail’s Sami Mokbel, the Lilywhites are interested in securing the 25-year-old’s signature during the upcoming transfer window. However, it won’t be an easy task to prise him away from Eddie Howe’s side given the fact that he’s still got four years remaining on his contract.

The Latest: Robinson’s ‘perfect’ replacement claim

Speaking during an interview with Football Insider, Robinson suggested that Saint-Maximin would be a ‘great’ addition for Spurs, but doesn’t think that he would entertain making the move to north London. He told correspondent Dylan Childs:

“Saint-Maximin is the type of player Spurs should sign if they lose Bergwijn. He’d be perfect.

“Listen, they have got [Lucas] Moura, [Dejan] Kulusevski and Son [Heung-min] to play out wide but I’d still expect another to come in.

“Somebody like Saint-Maximin would be great. I cannot see Saint-Maximin leaving Newcastle though, in all honesty.

“That club is going in the right direction. They are going to bring in players and they can offer players what they want in terms of contracts.

“I find it difficult to believe that he would swap a starting role at Newcastle for a bit-part role at Spurs. Saint-Maximin would not start at Spurs. I’m not sure that role would be appealing to him as much as I’d like to see it.”

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The Verdict: Remain at Newcastle

Saint-Maximin has had a hugely positive impact on Newcastle’s starting XI this season, scoring five goals and registering five assists in the top-flight, as per Transfermarkt, and he surely wouldn’t consider leaving the Toon Army unless he was guaranteed regular playing elsewhere.

Once hailed as a “breathtaking” player by Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, he has proven to be a real handful for opposition defenders in the final third this campaign, averaging 4.3 dribbles and 1.8 shots per league game, via WhoScored.

That being said, already with the likes of Son Heung-Min and Dejan Kulusevski in the building, Saint-Maximin would still probably be below them in the Italian’s pecking order, so Conte should perhaps shop for a younger player who will be happy to play a bit-part role as they develop from the ground up.

In other news… a Spurs insider has dropped an ‘exciting’ Harry Kane contract claim.

A twist in the tale has now come to light regarding Declan Rice’s future at West Ham United, as broken by 90min journalist Toby Cudworth.

The Lowdown: Rice summer saga…

Reports concerning the 23-year-old’s London Stadium future have been in no short supply over the last few months, with Fabrizio Romano even lifting the lid on a rejected third contract offer from the Irons.

According to some, David Moyes’ star asset has pledged to remain in east London until at least 2023, as explained by insider Claret & Hugh. Meanwhile, there have been other suggestions that Rice is more open than ever to leaving the Premier League club this summer as the likes of Manchester United hover for his signing.

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In a bid to keep Rice at the club and extend his deal, in what has been described as a ‘big’ story, Cudworth has shared a twist out of West Ham.

The Latest: GSB pull U-turn?

According to the reporter, a ‘sizeable shift in stance’ is on the cards surrounding a new deal for the 23-year-old, with West Ham now ‘ready to consider’ inserting a release clause.

This would hand Rice a route out of Rush Green, a contractual clause thought to be never on GSB’s agenda, but it may now be a possibility to entice him to put pen to paper.

Sharing a corresponding article for 90min, Cudworth explained on Twitter: “West Ham ready to consider including a release clause in improved Declan Rice contract. Would mark a sizeable shift in stance but increases agreement chances and preserves full value when the time comes to sell.”

The Verdict: Significant update?

The inclusion of a possible exit clause would relinquish West Ham and GSB’s control over stopping the 23-year-old from departing.

In this respect, Cudworth’s update comes as potentially significant, but much will depend on the size of the figure and whether any interested club will pay it.

In other news: Moyes now very likely to make major bid for ‘world class’ striker after claim that he ‘likes’ West Ham! Find out more here

Newcastle United journalist Jordan Cronin was left stunned by the injury suffered by Joelinton away at Burnley in the Premier League.

The Lowdown: Revelation

Joelinton has been nothing short of a revelation for the St James’ Park faithful this season.

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Reborn as a central midfield player, he has only missed one game this campaign in where he has been available for selection, scoring four goals and supplying one assist in the top flight (Transfermarkt), and being a key part of the team that dug themselves out of relegation trouble under Eddie Howe.

The Latest: Injury

Joelinton was forced off injured in the opening few minutes of their 2-1 win away at Burnley this afternoon, and Cronin gave his instant reaction on Twitter.

He observed: “Joelinton departs on a stretcher. Jacob Murphy on. Horrible to see, especially after the season he’s had. All fingers crossed it isn’t serious.”

The Verdict: Shame

It is certainly a shame to see Joelinton go off in that manner, and Newcastle will now be sweating on his fitness ahead of their pre-season schedule.

It did look like a nasty one for the Brazilian, so he may not be able to recover as quickly as he would like.

Nonetheless, at least competitive football is over for a while now, which should help Joelinton in his recovery, as he will no doubt be a key player on Tyneside once again next term.

In other news, find out what ‘brilliant news’ has now emerged for Howe here!

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard is believed to be eyeing a move for Wolfsburg defender Maxence Lacroix, according to a report from French outlet Jeunes Footeux.

The lowdown: Comparisons to Rio Ferdinand

A product of the youth system at French club Sochaux, the talented 22-year-old made the switch to Germany in 2020.

Since then, Lacroix has made 72 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit and has even been compared to former England star Rio Ferdinand, a one-time international team-mate of Gerrard.

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It appears that a move to the Premier League, where his defensive likeness made his name with West Ham, Leeds and Manchester United, could be on the cards in the near future…

The latest: Villa interested in Lacroix

As per Jeunes Footeux, Villa – alongside West Ham and Newcastle – are keen on signing the French youngster.

It is claimed that the English trio are all ‘attentive to the situation’ of Lacroix, who has been described as ‘very talented’ by Wolfsburg goalkeeper Koen Casteels following a quick adaptation to life in the Bundesliga.

Furthermore, the report claimed that the former France youth international ‘will not be retained’ should Wolfsburg receive an ‘interesting offer’ for him this summer.

The verdict: Make it happen

Although the January capture of Calum Chambers went some way to resolving the defensive issues within the Midlanders’ squad, neither Tyrone Mings nor Ezri Konsa have covered themselves in glory this season, as Villa have conceded 50 goals in 36 Premier League games so far.

In 2021/22, the Frenchman has earned a 6.99 Sofascore rating in the Bundesliga, making an impressive 2.1 interceptions, two tackles and 4.8 clearances per game. The towering 6 foot 3 centre-back encapsulated his own rise when making an astonishing nine clearances, three tackles and three interceptions during a 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich last Saturday.

Valued at £18m and under contract until 2025 (Transfermarkt), signing Lacroix ahead of the reported competition would be a huge feather in the cap of NSWE as the Villa Park hierarchy attempt to back Gerrard in order to take the club to the next level.

In other news: Former Villa boss reacts to £50m+ plus price tag for ‘fantastic’ ace

A big Newcastle United claim has emerged on their potential interest in Kalvin Phillips heading into the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has suggested that the Magpies might be looking at his situation as his team fight against the drop in the Premier League.

The Whites are currently 17th in the table and ahead of Burnley by one point with the Clarets having a game in hand over them.

When asked about a possible swoop for the England international, Downie told Football FanCast: “I just think Newcastle might be a really interesting move because he can be part of that project that I’ve mentioned before.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s one that Newcastle are really are kind of keeping a close eye on with Leeds’ perilous position at the moment.”

Supporters will be excited

The Toon supporters will surely be excited by this claim from Downie as the prospect of Newcastle making a swoop for Phillips if Leeds drop down to the Championship is a tantalising one.

He has proven himself in the Premier League and would be an excellent signing to add to Eddie Howe’s midfield options.

The England international is a combative midfield player who can get fans excited with his tackling in the middle of the park. He has the tenacity and ability to fly into tackles and set up attacks by winning the ball back off the opposition, which will surely get the fanbase off their seats in appreciation of his effort.

In the Premier League this season, he has made 3.8 tackles and interceptions per game for Leeds. This comes after he made 4.2 in 2020/21 – his first campaign in the top-flight – and he has won 4.8 duels or more per match across both seasons.

Ball-winning is not Phillips’ only attribute as he completed 4.7 long passes per game last term – creating 35 chances in 29 matches. He provided five ‘big chances’ and this form led to him being selected seven times for England at the European Championships last summer, illustrating how highly rated he is within the game.

This proves that he has quality in possession and can make an impact going forward to go along with his strong defending.

Therefore, fans will be excited by Downie’s comments and may now be rooting for relegation for Leeds if it means that the club can swoop for Phillips in the summer, with all due respect to the Yorkshire-based side.

AND in other news, “They expect..”: NUFC closing in on colossal summer signing, supporters will be elated…

Leeds United have been dealt a huge setback ahead of their upcoming Premier League meeting with Arsenal on Sunday.

What’s the latest?

Speaking in his pre-match press conference (via Evening Standard), Gunners boss Mikel Arteta revealed that Ben White, who missed Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over West Ham United last weekend due to a hamstring injury, is now back in contention for the clash against Leeds tomorrow afternoon.

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Regarding the current condition of the centre-back, the Spaniard said: “Ben White is still in contention. He needs to train [on Saturday] to make sure that he is available to play.”

Marsch will be gutted

Considering how just how important it is for Jesse Marsch and his side to pick up a positive result from their trip to north London on Sunday, coupled with how impressive White has been for the Gunners this season, the news that the England international is in contention to feature against Leeds is sure to have left the American gutted.

Indeed, over his 31 Premier League appearances this term, the £36m-rated defender has been extremely solid in the heart of the Arsenal backline, helping his side to keep 13 clean sheets, along with making 1.4 interceptions, 1.4 tackles and 3.1 clearances and winning 4.4 duels (at a success rate of 59%) per game.

These returns have seen the £120k-per-week talent average a SofaScore match rating of 6.94, ranking him as Arteta’s joint 10th-best player in the top flight.

As such, it is clear  to see that the return of the former Leeds loanee would come as a huge blow to the Whites’ chances of leaving the Emirates Stadium will a decent result on Sunday afternoon – with a loss potentially seeing Marsch and his side fall into the relegation zone with just three matches left to play.

AND in other news: Leeds now plotting bid for “fabulous” £45k-p/w target, Orta should “take him all day”

Celtic are not interested in signing Caen attacker Alexandre Mendy in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Anthony Joseph.

The Lowdown: Striker on Celtic’s radar

Ange Postecoglou is enjoying a superb first season as Hoops manager, building an impressive squad as they sit on the cusp of regaining the Premiership title.

Summer reinforcements are expected, though, and a recent claim suggests that the club could be in the market for a new striker at the end of the season.

One such player with whom they have been linked is Mendy, who has scored 16 goals in 31 appearances in French Ligue 2 for Caen in the current campaign and has been dubbed a “very strong” player in the past by his former coach Jocelyn Gourvennec.

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The Latest: Celtic not in contact with Mendy

However, taking to Twitter on Saturday with a fresh update on the matter, Joseph claimed that it is a move which won’t come to fruition, as Celtic have not been in touch over the 28-year-old:

“Understand there’s been no contact from Celtic for Caen striker Alexandre Mendy.”

The Verdict: Big summer ahead at Celtic

It will be interesting to see if a new striker does come in at Parkhead this summer, with Postecoglou sure to be weighing up whether or not his current options are strong enough.

Either way, it is imperative that Celtic’s squad is strengthened all over the pitch, especially with Premiership glory also set to bring automatic Champions League qualification with it.

It has been a long time since the Hoops made any kind of impact in Europe’s biggest club competition, and they will need a better squad if that is to change next season. Therefore, they should at least give stronger consideration to signing Mendy, particularly given his impressive scoring return in recent months.

In other news, Celtic have reportedly been handed a transfer blow. Read more here.