Chelsea have perfect coach in Mauricio Pochettino to fulfil Todd Boehly vision

New Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino took the opportunity to lay down a marker in his first game as Blues boss, watching a youthful team blitz Wrexham 5-0 in a friendly on Thursday. The club’s transfer business has often been the topic of discussion since Todd Boehly and co took over at Stamford Bridge, but following a dramatic change in strategy they may have found the perfect head coach to lead them into the next era.

Having spent over £600million in the previous two transfer windows, a change in approach has seen Chelsea intensify their efforts to land the top young talents available across the world and instead focus on trimming a bloated squad before adding quality additions – such as Brighton’s Moises Caicedo.

While talks continue over that deal, three youngsters – Andrey Santos, Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei – showed to Pochettino they can play a role in his squad this season with impressive displays against Wrexham.

Pochettino fielded a side with an average age of just 19, with new signing Nicolas Jackson leading the line and other prospects in the squad given a chance to impress. Ian Maatsen scored the opening two goals before Conor Gallagher, Christopher Nkunku and Ben Chilwell got themselves on the scoresheet late on.

But the 51-year-old chose to single out the trio after being wowed by their confident displays in the midfield. Pochettino started Santos and Casadei in the double pivot, with Chukwuemeka deployed as more of an advanced playmaker. And their fourth-tier opposition struggled to cope with their energetic presence in the central areas as they controlled proceedings in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

The Argentine’s record at developing youth during his days at Tottenham proved that he is second to none, something the club may have identified in their managerial search and the 51-year-old could prove to be the perfect head coach with the Blues’ transfer strategy continuing to pivot.

“I’m not afraid to play them,” says Pochettino in 2015. “If a player deserves to play, if they are 17, 18, 19 or 20 it’s the same for us, if they deserve to play and show character and maturity to be given the responsibility. But for that, you need to build the player. It’s not about age or name. I think it’s fair when you have a squad of 25 or 26 players that the young player, if he deserves to play, why not give him the chance?

“The younger player needs faith in them and you need to translate the feeling that you believe in them. The important thing is that they need to believe that you believe because, if not, it’s nothing. If they feel that you only want to add some names in your list, this is the worst thing you can show. When they feel that you believe, but really believe in them, it gives them extra. This is the moment they can play.”