During his first press conference since taking on his role at Chelsea on July 1, Pochettino discussed the ongoing speculation surrounding Lukaku’s future.
Despite the club’s attempts to downsize their squad through various departures during the transfer window, Lukaku’s situation remains uncertain.
After his return to Chelsea in the summer of 2021, the striker spent the previous season on loan at Inter Milan.
When questioned about Lukaku’s potential return for pre-season training, Pochettino expressed, “All parties are aware of our thoughts on the situation. In this case, I believe he needs to rejoin the squad on the 12th or 13th for the start of pre-season.”
When asked if he had spoken to Lukaku or if he was assuming his return to the Cobham training center, Pochettino replied, “Certainly. As with all the players, their first task upon arrival is to come to my office and meet with me. That is what I anticipate if he is still a Chelsea player.”
Pochettino’s appointment at Chelsea comes after a disappointing season for the club, finishing 12th in the Premier League. The 51-year-old coach previously had a tumultuous tenure at Paris Saint-Germain, where he secured a Ligue 1 title, as well as the Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions.
“My objective is to triumph, my goal is to triumph,” emphasized Pochettino.
“When you are at a club like Chelsea, you cannot talk about doing a commendable job and playing well. Yes, certainly, I can do a commendable job, play well, and adhere to our style and culture, but, without a doubt, the ultimate aspiration is to triumph. Failing to do so at a club like Chelsea will undoubtedly result in difficulties.”
“We must work hard, push the players to their maximum potential, and channel this energy to our fans, who can greatly support us in winning matches,” Pochettino continued.
“Establishing a sense of unity is crucial because the competition in the Premier League is incredibly tough. Numerous teams aspire to achieve the same feats as us. When we stand together, we can approach triumph once more.”
Pochettino expressed confidence in Chelsea’s ability to compete with top clubs such as Manchester City and Liverpool, stating, “I believe we must also have faith in our ability to accomplish great things. It will be challenging, but we must believe that we can compete with a team like Manchester City. I reiterate, we can prevail. We genuinely believe that, and we are all united. We can beChelsea, compete, and strive to defeat these formidable teams.”
Chelsea’s Premier League campaign for the 2023-24 season will commence on August 13 with a home match against Liverpool.