Willian: Pochettino and Chelsea can compete for silverware next season

Willian: Pochettino and Chelsea can compete for silverware next season

Mauricio Pochettino has "everything to succeed" in his first season if appointed as Chelsea's new head coach, according to former Blues winger Willian.

Pochettino has been out of management since being sacked as Paris Saint-Germain boss at the end of last season, but he is reportedly close to taking over at Stamford Bridge ahead of next campaign.

His rumoured arrival comes at the end of a tumultuous season for Chelsea, who have sacked Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter on the way to their lowest-ever points tally in the Premier League era.

But Willian, who won two Premier League titles as well as the Europa League during his seven-year spell with the Blues, believes Pochettino is the man to bring success back to the club.

"He is a great manager," Willian told Stats Perform. "He did a great job while he was at Tottenham and he has everything to succeed.

"Chelsea is a giant club, it's a club that is always used to winning titles. Chelsea might not win anything one year, but the next year they'll be fighting for a title.

"Chelsea has been winning titles this way for a few years now, and sometimes they don't do well in a league, but they win a European trophy or a cup.

"Chelsea is a club that will always fight for titles, and I think they have everything to fight for a title again next year."

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Chelsea FC (@chelseafc)

Chelsea have spent over £600million in the transfer market since Todd Boehly's consortium took control of the club, including £323m on acquiring eight players in the January window alone.

Willian feels the new signings will come good, adding: "I think the team has quality players.

"They have signed a lot of players, but you can see they have a lot of quality players and I think they have everything to succeed, yes."

Willian now plies his trade with Chelsea's west London rivals Fulham, who have secured a top-half finish in a successful first Premier League campaign following their promotion last term, sitting nine points above the Blues with one game remaining.

Willian remembers his time at Stamford Bridge fondly, though, claiming they were the best years of a career that has also included spells at Arsenal and Shakhtar Donetsk.

"Chelsea was the best moment of my career," Willian said. "It was almost eight years, I won titles, I was very happy.

"Even before I was there, I already dreamed of playing for Chelsea. I watched Chelsea games on TV and I had this dream of playing there, and I was able to make that dream come true.

"For me, those were the best years of my career. Those were incredible years."

More News on this


Poch challenges Colwill to prove he deserves to start

Poch challenges Colwill to prove he deserves to start


Mauricio Pochettino admits Levi Colwill will have to fight for his place at Chelsea — despite his abundance of talent. 

The England youth centre-back has started just one of the four games the Blues have played so far during their pre-season tour of the United States. 

Read more
Premier League talking points ahead of the 2023-24 campaign

Premier League talking points ahead of the 2023-24 campaign


The Premier League returns later this month and Treble winners Manchester City will be looking to make it four titles in a row. 

Pep Guardiola's side are favourites to lift the trophy yet again but their rivals will be confident of at least closing the gap.

Read more
Five signings looking to make an impact in 2023-24

Five signings looking to make an impact in 2023-24


The Premier League transfer window has once again seen eye-watering amounts of money spent by clubs looking to improve their squads ahead of the new season.

With plenty of players settling into new surroundings, there will be intrigue as to who can make the quickest impact.

Read more
Liverpool boss Klopp laughs off Mbappe loan link

Liverpool boss Klopp laughs off Mbappe loan link


Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has laughed off suggestions the club are in the running to put together a loan deal for Kylian Mbappe.

France captain Mbappe has been subject of a world-record £259million bid from Saudi Arabia club Al Hilal, but Paris St Germain could also be open to a temporary move ahead of the possibility of seeing him leave for nothing next year at the end of his current contract.

Read more