EPL: Paul Merson names two Chelsea players Pochettino must not sell

Arsenal legend, Paul Merson, has named two Chelsea players that incoming new manager Mauricio Pochettino must not sell this summer.

Pochettino is expected to take over from caretaker manager Frank Lampard at the end of the season.

One of the major challenges that await Pochettino at Stamford Bridge is trimming down Chelsea’s huge squad.

The former Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur coach will certainly need to sell some Chelsea players to reduce the squad.

However, Merson wants Pochettino not to sell the likes of Mason Mount or N’Golo Kante this summer, as both players have been linked with a move away from Chelsea.

In his column for Sportskeeda, Merson said, “After a lorry load of games across all competitions, we still don’t know Chelsea’s best starting XI, and we are at the final game of the season. That just sums them up, really.

“They have too many players and with Mauricio Pochettino set to take over the reins from Frank Lampard, he’s got a massive job on his hands to trim the squad.

“Two players who should not be allowed to leave are Mason Mount and N’Golo Kante. Chelsea face an uphill battle to finish in the top four next season, so they can’t afford to sell Mount to the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United or Liverpool, as they would be strengthening one of their rivals.”