By Gabriel Agbonlahor

8th Sep, 2023 | 7:00am

Agbonlahor digs at Pochettino and Chelsea after what he's heard - 'we're getting mixed signals'

Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed Chelsea are giving out “mixed signals” over their ambition for the 2023-24 season despite spending £400million on new arrivals.

The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted Mauricio Pochettino doesn’t sound “under any pressure” to deliver success this term – and claimed they will not secure a top-four finish.

Chelsea suffered a 1-0 home loss against Nottingham Forest on Saturday (2 September) – meaning they have picked up just four points from their opening four games.

That is despite spending a reported £400million on new arrivals in the summer window, including Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson and Moises Caicedo.

The Blues finished 12th in the Premier League last season – a campaign which saw both Graham Potter and Thomas Tuchel sacked.

As per Transfermarkt, Chelsea have fielded the youngest squad on average (23.6 years old) so far this term.

Nevertheless, Agbonlahor insisted they should be finishing in the top four – but claimed they are unlikely to do so.

He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I don’t really know what the plan is at Chelsea. We’re getting mixed signals.

“You hear Pochettino speak and it sounds like he’s got a 10-year plan.

“He doesn’t sound like he’s in a rush or like he’s under any pressure to do anything significant this season.

“It’s strange. I understand that it’s a new, young squad, but we could be saying the same thing next season when they get rid of seven and add seven more.

“When does it get to the stage of success? Chelsea shouldn’t be finishing any lower than top four, but I don’t think they will. Going forward, they don’t have enough.”

In other news, Chelsea cleared the way for Tottenham to sign 26-year-old star.