Journalist Rob Pratley has claimed that Mauricio Pochettino has already decided that he does not want to use Kalidou Koulibaly next season.
He took to Twitter to state that the new manager already has a number of players that he has ruled out from using in his initial plans.
It has always looked difficult for Koulibaly to state his claim as a starter next season, after not setting the world alight following his £33m transfer.
Pochettino will have a number of defenders to choose from next season, with it likely to be Thiago Silva’s final season with the club.
However, it is the youthful options that the new boss is reportedly most excited about. These include Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashile.
Even though the Englishman is being wanted by Brighton, reports have claimed that the Blues are adamant he is not for sale.
Pochettino doesn’t want Koulibaly
This makes things tough for Koulibaly, and Pratley has now claimed that the Senegal international is not even in Pochettino’s plans.
He said: “As said yesterday, Koulibaly not in club plans. Pochettino wants a younger more dynamic backline that are comfortable on the ball. Inter keen but Chelsea are extremely reluctant to commit to loan deals without obligations to buy for older players, unless it is the last resort.
“Koulibaly is amongst a number of players who Pochettino has already ‘ruled out’ of his initial planning. They have been encouraged by the club to look for solutions elsewhere.”
The Blues will certainly be hoping for a fee if they are to part ways with the defender this summer, considering they only signed him less than a year ago.
Reports have stated that he is also one of the players who are being touted over in Saudi Arabia.
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