Robert Huth: Pochettino A Better Manager Than New Chelsea Boss Maresca
Former Chelsea defender Robert Huth admits he was surprised when the Blues let Mauricio Pochettino go at the end of last season.
Chelsea ended the 2023-24 campaign strongly, securing a sixth-placed finish to qualify for the Europa Conference League.
But Pochettino nevertheless departed after just one year at the helm, with Enzo Maresca then chosen as his replacement.
The best betting sites price Chelsea at 6/4 to finish in the top four next term, behind Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Maresca Not An Upgrade On Pochettino
But Huth believes his ex-employers made a mistake in allowing Pochettino to leave Stamford Bridge.
“I certainly like Pochettino’s style,” he said in an exclusive chat with Gambling.com. “When he was at Southampton and we played against his teams, when he was at Tottenham (too). They were always really, really well drilled, well organised, fit and athletic teams.
“And I think Chelsea fans were starting to see it towards the end of the season. The last 10 or 15 games, I thought they were excellent.
“So I was very, very surprised when he left. And you can probably argue that Maresca is not as good a manager, as of now, as Pochettino is. It’s a strange one, certainly for the Chelsea fans to get their heads around.
“Why would you get rid of a really, really top-class manager that managed in the Premier League, that managed in France, had success, for someone that’s unproven in the top league?
“Chelsea, obviously want to go back to winning Champions Leagues and winning leagues. And it just feels like a strange move looking in from the outside.”
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Heart Of Defence Priority For Blues
Huth, who made 62 appearances for Chelsea as a young player and was part of the title-winning squads of 2004-05 and 2005-06, thinks his former club need to improve their defensive options ahead of next season.
“Centre-back, of course,” he said when asked which areas of the squad need strengthening. “That will need to be addressed. I think both full-back positions, with [Ben] Chilwell obviously picking up a few injuries over the last season or two.
“Same to be said on the right side with [Reece] James, he’s been picking up injuries, and they’re so vital. Or they were so vital under Pochettino in the attacking threats.
“Number nine, possibly. I’m a big fan of [Nicolas] Jackson to be fair. I think he’s certainly come on in the season. You could see from the first game to the last game of the season, he’s adapted his game, he’s got a bit prolific.
“You can always find new players can’t you? But these would be my biggest issues to address.”
Huth: I Want Guehi To Go To Chelsea
One man who has been linked with Chelsea is Marc Guehi, their former academy product who has impressed for England at Euro 2024.
Huth believes Guehi would be a good signing for the Blues, who are priced at 11/4 with betting apps to sign him.
Howeber, Manchester United are the 2/1 favourites for Guehi's signature as they are in the market to replace Raphael Varane.
“Yes, he’s been outstanding,” Huth said. “There’s not a lot not to like about his game. His positioning is excellent, he’s got an excellent turn of pace. He’s good on the ball, and he’s basically everything that you want in a centre-back.
“Maybe he could be a bit more physical, just in terms of being bigger, but I’ve not seen him struggle against anyone. I’d be interested to see how they are going to go about it, because he would be perfect for Chelsea.”
Osimhen Signing Would Hit Jackson Confidence
At the other end of the field, Chelsea are said to have a long-term interest in both Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and Brighton’s Evan Ferguson.
But Huth believes Chelsea might not want to meet Napoli’s demands for Osimhen, while Ferguson remains inexperienced.
“Chelsea have been doing what they want in terms of transfers, and I don’t think there has been a clear strategy for the last, sort of, two years,” he added. “I just wonder what it (signing Osimhen) would do to the confidence of someone like Jackson if you bring in another big, big signing.
“If you pay that kind of money (£85 million), you kind of want to play him straight away, and I thought Jackson finished the season well. Ultimately, it’s Maresca’s decision how he wants to play. He’s going to be a lot more possession-based, rather than Pochettino who was really aggressive in his play.
“I’d like to see Evan Ferguson getting a proper, full season under his belt where he plays every game. You know, get a real good idea of what he’s like under pressure.
“We always say he’s young enough, and I think just learning your trade under a little less pressure at Brighton, where you can have two or three games in a row that if you’re still learning your game you don’t get the peltering that you would probably at Chelsea. That would be my advice if I were his age.
“I know he’s going to double his money, quadruple his money, whatever (if he moves to Chelsea). I’m sure that always plays a factor in making a decision. However, if he’s good enough he’s going to get the opportunity in another year or two.”
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