Mauricio Pochettino has credited two of Chelsea’s biggest signings for playing a major role in the team’s improvement under Enzo Maresca.
The experienced Argentine coach spent one turbulent season at the Stamford Bridge helm during which his side were infamously billed as ‘billion-pound bottle jobs’ following their Carabao Cup final defeat against aseverely weakened and injury-hit Liverpool.
Despite his short-lived stint, Pochettino spent over £400million with a quarter of that budget invested in Chelsea’s record signing Moises Caicdeo.
With fellow £100m recruit Enzo Fernandez having been recruited during Graham Potter’s ill-fated reign the Blues were able to boast the most expensive central midfield partnership ever assembled.
Initially, however, the pair, like many of the young players Chelsea have recruited since the Clearlake takeover, struggled to live up to their price tags.
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Following lengthy settling in periods, both are now thriving under Maresca and forming a highly effective partnership in Chelsea’s engine room.
Pochettino believes both players, and their manager, are benefiting from a more settled environment while the extra experience they now have under their belts is proving invaluable.
Asked the sudden nature of his Chelsea departure, Pochettino told talkSPORT: ‘We both decided to split. I think my first season was about to stop a little bit.
‘The way that Chelsea was going down, it was difficult to stop this negative dynamic, if you remember.
‘I don’t know, it was six months, eight months with one win at Stamford Bridge.
‘The plan was to build with new players with players that had no experience in the Premier League.
‘And then players that need to adapt like Caicedo or Enzo that were very young with too much responsibility from the first season. I think after they got experience they started to show their quality.
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‘They are performing very well now.’
Asked whether Chelsea are now primed to compete for major honours, Pochettino added: ‘Yes, I think Chelsea is in a different project than it was in the past and I wish all the best. I spent a very good time there.
‘I keep a very good relationship with the people, with players there. We split, but I think the relationship there is good.
‘I wish all the best and, and of course, a lot of young young players with amazing talent for sure. Sometimes there’s ups and downs, but I think they achieved very good things last season.
‘They are involved in the Champions League and of course in the Premier League close to the top four.
‘I think for sure they are going to.’