Former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has opened up about his limited role in the club's transfer dealings during his brief tenure at Stamford Bridge, revealing he only personally approved two signings. The Argentine tactician, who took over in the summer of 2023 after Frank Lampard's interim spell, found himself in the middle of a massive squad overhaul. Chelsea brought in 14 first-team players that summer, including big-money arrivals like Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson, but Pochettino admits most of those deals were already in motion before he arrived.

Speaking candidly to The Overlap, Pochettino clarified, "Being fair, I supported all the business when we arrived. When we signed, it was already done. I was only involved when we signed Disasi, because Fofana was injured in pre-season, and Cole Palmer." The revelation shines a light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics at Chelsea, where the manager's influence on recruitment was clearly limited. It's a stark contrast to the traditional model where the head coach has a major say in squad building.

Palmer, of course, turned out to be a masterstroke. The young Englishman had a record-breaking season under Pochettino, earning the Premier League Young Player of the Year award and becoming the face of Chelsea's attack. Disasi also proved to be a solid addition, stepping up when injuries hit the defense. Despite these successes, Pochettino's tenure lasted just one season, ending with a sixth-place finish in the Premier League.

The former Tottenham boss emphasized the importance of involving the coaching staff in transfer decisions, saying, "It is more about a philosophical idea. The coach or the coaching staff need to be involved in all these types of decisions. Because if not, it is not easy." For Chelsea fans and those following the club's rebuild, this insight adds context to the chaotic summer of 2023—and highlights why Palmer's arrival felt like such a personal touch from the manager.