Pochettino: 'Whoever does not follow my orders can leave Chelsea'

"Chelsea currently have 29 players. That's too much. The team needs stability, which players to start and which players can compete for a place. Build a good relationship and create a balance in the game. The squad is important, challenging for us this summer," Pochettino told the Daily Mail.

Chelsea have allowed 12 players to leave this summer, including Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Christian Pulisic, Edouard Mendy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ethan Ampadu, N'golo Kante, Cesar Azpilicueta, Pierre -Emerick Aubameyang and Baba Rahman.

However, due to over-shopping in recent transfer windows, Chelsea's squad is still larger than usual, so many players will not be guaranteed game time next season. According to Pochettino, this situation may cause problems next season, if the club does not deal with it strongly.

"If the players are not happy because they believe they are not being given the opportunity to play, we will find a solution with the club and solve it. Chelsea cannot keep a big squad like this. The players do not integrate and "Everything will be chaotic. Sometimes less quality is needed. So I need to be clear, we don't need a big squad," said the Argentinian coach.

Pochettino said his ideal squad would be between 22 and 24 players, with a few young players in the reserve team. The 51-year-old coach admits he can make tough decisions in some cases, but it is essential for Chelsea to be able to compete for the title.

The former Tottenham manager said: "Chelsea paid me to pick the best 11 players. It's better for anyone who wants to leave to talk to me from now on. Players need to think in terms of 'if not out. the pitch, I wouldn't want to stay' and 'if I stay, I have to commit and accept that it is the manager who decides who gets to play'. into the field".