By Fraser Fletcher, Transfer Correspondent

10th Aug, 2023 | 12:03pm

Revealed: What Chelsea stars really think about Pochettino behind the scenes

Chelsea players are very excited and enthusiastic about the season ahead with Mauricio Pochettino making a big impact behind the scenes, sources have told Football Insider.

Insiders at the club say new boss Pochettino has instilled new belief in the players and there is a growing feeling at the club’s Cobham training headquarters they can have a very successful season.

It is the first time since Todd Boehly’s consortium took over the club in the summer of 2022, to kickstart momentous change, that the players haven’t felt rudderless.

The Blues kick off their Premier League campaign under the new manager on Sunday (13 August) with a tough test at home to Liverpool.

Pochettino’s side have had a relatively tame pre-season results-wise, with wins over Brighton and Fulham the more notable displays.

The Londoners have managed to trim down the squad this window, losing long-serving players such as Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic and captain Cesar Azpilicueta whilst also offloading several big names like Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

A team who struggled for goals last term should look vastly different under the attacking guidance of Pochettino and the arrivals of former Villarreal striker Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku, who was a standout for RB Leipzig but is now facing a spell on the sidelines.

Chelsea confirmed (8 August) that Nkunku will be out for an “extended period” after undergoing surgery on a knee injury.

The 25-year-old is yet to play a competitive game for the Blues and will miss their Premier League opener against Liverpool as he recovers from his injury.

In other news, according to Kieran Maguire, Man City are set to match Chelsea as £51m news confirmed.