West Ham United striker Michail Antonio has claimed he has been left shocked that Mauricio Pochettino is set to become the new Chelsea manager.
He said on ‘The Footballer’s Football Podcast’ that he always expected the Argentine to return to Tottenham instead of take on the challenge on the west side of London.
A lengthy recruitment process has seen Pochettino emerge as the only remaining candidate for the job to start from this summer.
The likes of Julian Nagelsmann have now fallen to the wayside, although his agent had recently come out and claimed his client was the first choice for the role.
However, the Blues have never agreed with this, and instead look set to give the job to a manager with plenty of Premier League experience under his belt.
There may have been some fears among the ownership that Pochettino’s links to their rivals, Spurs, would leave a dark cloud over his appointment at Stamford Bridge.
Antonio stunned at Pochettino to Chelsea
However, Todd Boehly was reportedly encouraged by the initial fan reaction to reports suggesting he was linked with the job.
Antonio has been one person who was left shocked when it became almost concrete that the former PSG man was set to become the permanent Chelsea manager.
He said: “ I did not see this coming whatsoever. I honestly thought Poch would have gone back to Spurs, but he hasn’t, he’s going to Chelsea.”
Reports have already begun to emerge of current Chelsea players that the incoming manager is reportedly looking to build his team around.
Supporters should be encouraged by reports that these plans include Levi Colwill, who many expected to be surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge despite a stellar loan spell at Brighton.
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