![Pochettino](/upload/news/2023/08/01/81148.jpg)
Mauricio Pochettino is 'worried' that Chelsea's squad is still too bloated despite the club's mass exodus so far this summer.
Todd Boehly has helped ship 16 players out of the Stamford Bridge doors since the start of the transfer window, with the Blues recouping over £200million in transfer fees. Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic are among the most expensive sales, while Kalidou Koulibaly and Christian Pulisic have also exited for big-money.
Despite those departures, Pochettino still named a 29-man squad for Chelsea's pre-season tour in the United States as they tackled Wrexham, Brighton, Newcastle and Fulham. The Argentine usually prefers to work with a core group of 23 players, which can be topped up by those from the academy.
Graham Potter fell foul to the sheer size of Chelsea's squad last season as he was forced to leave players out of first-team training and remove some from the dressing room. The ex-Brighton boss was sacked in April after a run of poor results which led to his dismissal.
According to the Daily Mail, Pochettino is concerned the same mistakes are already being made in pre-season and wants a number of players sold before the opening weekend game against Liverpool. Chelsea face Jurgen Klopp's side on August 13 in their first competitive game on a new era.
With less than two weeks to go until that match, Chelsea are going to have to work their magic if they want to please Pochettino and his coaching staff. More outgoings are expected, however, with Romelu Lukaku and Hakim Ziyech heading towards an exit as Juventus and Al-Nassr chase the duo.
Meanwhile, Conor Gallagher has been subject of interest from West Ham, although Pochettino confirmed last week that he is happy working with the England midfielder. Pochettino also admitted Chelsea do need to sign more midfielders, but sales would need to occur first before players come in.
He said on July 26: "We need to add some player there [midfield]. We need one more with experience. That is the idea. We are working, the club is working on that. At the moment we are working to reinforce that area and other areas also. The players that are here on the tour are in our plan."
Moises Caicedo is among those Chelsea are looking at, but Brighton are adamant they do not want to sell their star midfielder this summer. The Seagulls value the Ecuadorian at £100m, although it is understood the Blues are trying to knock that price down to around £80m, having already seen multiple bids rejected.
That isn't the only piece of business Chelsea are trying to do with Brighton. Pochettino is keen to add another goalkeeper to his squad with Robert Sanchez as eyed as perfect competition for Kepa Arrizabalaga. Sanchez is said to want to move to Stamford Bridge, despite no European football this season.