Joe Cole: Mason Mount exit leaves a big hole at Chelsea - but Mauricio Pochettino ticks all the right boxes

Joe Cole believes Mauricio Pochettino needs to be "left alone to get on with the job" as the Argentine head coach prepares to take charge of his first game as new Chelsea manager.

Pochettino has taken over at Stamford Bridge on a two-year deal with the option of a third.

The 51-year-old is Chelsea's sixth permanent manager in five years following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter last season, with Frank Lampard closing out the campaign as interim head coach.

He is also the fourth boss of new owner Todd Boehly's reign after the American took over at Stamford Bridge last July.

After a torrid 2022/23 season for Chelsea in which they finished 12th in the league, Cole believes Pochettino is the man to restore stability to the club.

"It's a smart appointment," said Cole.

"Chelsea fans will have to get over the fact he was manager at a big rival, because he's a coach that will bring so much to the club.

"He's a manager that will relish the challenge of getting the club back on an even keel.

"He ticks a lot of boxes: he likes working with young players and his teams are dynamic and energetic.

"It's an exciting time but he just needs to be left alone now to get on with the job, make sure they get players into the club that he wants to work with and that he feels are right for the team."

The Blues are undergoing a summer overhaul of their squad, with as many as 13 players leaving the club in the past two months, including Kai Havertz, captain Cesar Azpilicueta and former Chelsea academy graduate, Mason Mount.

Asked what impact Mount's departure will have on the club, Cole said his exit leaves a big hole and a dearth of leadership in the dressing room.

"I think Chelsea will miss Mason on the pitch because of his ability, but also off the pitch because of what he means to the club as a leader and a player that came through the ranks," he said.

Mount joined the club as a six-year-old before going on to score 33 goals in 195 appearances for Chelsea.

The Portsmouth-born playmaker won the Champions League in 2021 with Chelsea but the two parties never came close to agreeing a new deal to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge.

Cole added: "I'm not sure we'll ever know the full story around the contract situation and the package that was offered to him, only Chelsea, Mason and his team know what it was but they couldn't get a deal done for whatever reason.

"He's left a big hole and there's a gap to fill. There's always comings and goings at clubs but someone's going to have to step up and fill his boots."

Chelsea kick-off the new Premier League season at home to Liverpool on Sunday, August 13, before facing London rivals West Ham a week later.

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