Leeds among PL trio snubbed by Pochettino as Balague reveals three keys to Chelsea deal

Mauricio Pochettino reportedly turned down at least eight contract offers following his exit from Paris Saint-Germain, before his deal to join Chelsea.

The Blues are in talks with the 51-year-old former Tottenham and Paris St Germain boss over the vacancy created by Graham Potter’s untimely exit last month, and although an agreement is yet to be formalised, reports suggest it’s as good as done.

Former Argentina international Pochettino enjoyed a five-year spell at Tottenham, guiding them to the Champions League final in 2019, but has been out of the game since being shown the door by Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

But as Guillem Balague told BBC Sport, Poch has been approached by plenty of clubs since, including three Premier League sides.

Balague said: “He hasn’t been short of offers since leaving Paris, but none have ticked as many boxes as Chelsea have, certainly in this second round of negotiations with the club.

“He was determined to make sure that he made the right choice as to his next employer – and initially turned down Boehly’s Chelsea until he was offered more control.

“He has received approaches from Benfica, Athletic Bilbao, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest. Sevilla also made contact, as did Villarreal, Nice and Leeds [United].

“But after six consecutive years in the Champions League, reaching one final and one semi-final, he wants to go to a club that he believes will challenge for titles.”

Pochettino was reportedly in contention to take over from Thomas Tuchel in September before Todd Boehly gave the job to Potter, but Balague says Pochettino will be granted more “control” now than he was then.

That’s one key to him taking on the job at Stamford Bridge, along with the youth of the squad and philosophy of the owners.

“Pochettino would also not have been offered as much control as he is now. If he learned one thing at PSG it was that to achieve success he and his team would need influence throughout the club from academy level upwards.

“Everything at Chelsea fits. It is a young squad, a thriving academy coupled with a desire from the owners to bring youth through, a philosophy that is aggressive and dynamic with high pressure and loads of energy.”

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