Senior figures at Stamford Bridge are reportedly discussing Mauricio Pochettino’s use of Chelsea duo Armando Broja and Levi Colwill. The Blues boss’ position in the dugout is presumed safe until the end of the season, by which point an extensive review is expected to take place with co-owner Todd Boehly.
Pochettino’s appointment came with hopes of drawing a line under last season’s miserable form, which saw Chelsea finish a dismal 12th in the Premier League, with just 11 wins to show for record levels of transfer spending.
But the extent of the former Tottenham manager’s turnaround has been minimal. Now past the halfway point in his debut campaign, the Londoners are a measly 10th in the table and level on points with Wolves.
A run to the Carabao Cup final would provide a welcome morale boost for supporters and distract from what has been a turbulent season. But Pochettino was once again landed with tough questions after overseeing a 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough on Tuesday night in the first leg of the semi-final.
Broja was benched for the trip to the Riverside as Pochettino opted to start without a recognised striker. Colwill, meanwhile, continued this season’s trend of playing at left-back despite predictions of a bright future stemming from his performances as a central defender.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the Chelsea hierarchy are internally discussing Broja’s Middlesbrough snub and Colwill’s run at full-back ahead of a pre-planned review at the end of the season.
With Christopher Nkunku spending most of the campaign out injured and Nicolas Jackson jetting off to the Africa Cup of Nations, highly-rated marksman Broja was tipped to stamp his authority on the Blues’ forward line.
Things are yet to click into top gear for the 22-year-old, who only recently returned from a long-term injury, and he has scored twice in six starts so far this term. Broja himself has urged patience from supporters as he regains match sharpness, and he will surely hope that his boyhood club resist the urge to go after a new striker before the end of the month.
Colwill excelled on loan at Huddersfield Town and Brighton, and the 20-year-old has started 17 out of 20 Premier League matches this season. But many wonder when he will shift over to his preferred centre-back position given the sheer number of options already at Pochettino’s disposal.
In spite of rumoured conversations behind the scenes, reports indicate that Pochettino is under ‘no imminent threat‘ of losing his job as the Londoners plan to give him every opportunity to find a winning recipe.
